We see ongoing conflict in this strife-torn region on many levels, any one of which could trigger a war: Palestinians vs. Israelis, Hamas-supporting Palestinians vs. Palestinians who support the Fatah party, Hezbollah guerillas vs. Israel, Hezbollah supporters on the verge of provoking a civil war in Lebanon, Syria meddling in Lebanese affairs.

Most of these warring factions definitely agree on one thing: their hatred of Israel. London's chief rabbi, Sir Jonathan Sacks, wrote: "AntiSemites have attacked our religion and our race. Now they are going after the Jewish nation" (The Jewish Chronicle, Nov. 16, 2007). He called this brand of anti-Semitism "a new kind of hatred."

Nonetheless, the recent Middle East peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland, is a possible blueprint for a settlement between Israel and the Palestinians. A Financial Times feature article stated: "George W. Bush achieved what he wanted at Annapolis—a big international presence, a historic handshake between enemies and rare applause" (Dec. 1, 2007).

Yet the same article also pointed out: "This is not an ideal time for peace-making. The Palestinians are divided. Mahmoud Abbas, the president, has lost the Gaza Strip to the Islamist Hamas. And Hamas's exclusion from peace talks undermines its legitimacy. In Israel, too, Ehud Olmert is weak, his government coalition shaky."