ISRAEL Needs a leader

The Notorious decision of mass deportation of the Hamas ideologues has uncovered curious and interesting insight into the political complexities of the Palestinian Israeli conflict. It has lead to a series of consequences; world uproar and condemnation which damaged the Israeli image, increasing popularity of Hamas and the halt on the peace talks.

There is no doubt that this debacle has seriously damaged Rabin's standing as a peace maker. Mr. Rabin who has begun a process of rewriting the history when he ordered the breaking bones of the Palestinian youth is

writting a new chapter. The Jews are not any more the eternal victims. Even Israelis began to wake up to the naked truth.

For Hamas and other extremists who are born out of frustration; humiliation and despaire, Rabin's actions are exactly fitting.

He is the man who knows how to bring more extremists out of the normal person.

Paradoxically but understandably, however, Rabin is now at the mercy of Rantisi who can decide on the future of the peace talks and may be the future of Rabin himself.

Rumours and reports are out on how dictatorial Rabin treatment of his ministers, his mistrust and his inability to judge and govern.

From the outset. He has transmitted conflicting massages. Advocating peace on his platform but presenting nothing of substance on the negotiating table and even denying his team the needed mandate. Declaring that there should be a political solution to the Intifada and then exercising his iron fist and

Sadly, he and many Israelis are avoiding the painful issues; a haracteristic of the repressed guilt.

For a long time the Israelis were denying even the existence of the Palestinians. The mental distance between Tel Aviv and Gaza was more than a thousand miles. I think that they are now begining to realise that the Palestinians exist, that they have a problem and that the distance between Tel Aviv and Gaza is just 60 miles.

In their preoccupation of their history of victimisation the Israeli have forgotten about their own victims.

A strong man who does not need to show his strength by brutality. Strong people do not need brute force, a wise leader who can lead them through the path of peace and answer their painful questions.

A leader who will acknowledge that the Palestinian painful journey into exile and oppression was caused by the very establishment of Israel and that the West Bank and Gaza are occupied territories.

In return the Palestinians are ready to acknowledge the right of Israel to exist and the right of Israel for secure borders .