Recently, a friend asked why I had not written more about Israel on my site.
I answered: “Too much has already been written about Israel.”

But this op-ed piece by Toni Judt in today’s Times struck me as well informed and not so hysterical as many other pieces about this subject: ‘As American officials privately acknowledge, sooner or later Israel (or someone) will have to talk to Hamas. From French Algeria through South Africa to the Provisional I.R.A., the story repeats itself: the dominant power denies the legitimacy of the “terrorists,” thereby strengthening their hand; then it secretly negotiates with them; finally, it concedes power, independence or a place at the table. Israel will negotiate with Hamas: the only question is why not now.'