israel has no interest in peace. withdrawal plans are just another game israel is playing. It is a shame that the US (#1 state fighting terrorism) did not dare to condemn the Israel state organised assasination

Clear and simple. The Israeli government does not have a peace plan, in other terms they simply don't want peace. In Israel's terms peace with the Palestinians means total surrunder to Israeli policies!!!

1. Israel has to look tough while considering withdrawel, to appeal to the right wing.::::2. Israel has no incentive to end the violence while violence offers the continuing opportunity to depopolate the region of Palestinians. If the US took a position against the attacks and threatened the discontinuance of aid, the Israeli attacks would stop tomorrow.

I seriously doubt whether Israel has any intentions of withdrawing from Gaza. I find it deplorable that the United States has not joined the rest of the world in condemning this act of hatred.

Israel cannot deal with the problem from a Gospel point of view, only the Law and retribution. They have no peace plan of their own that would be supported by the Palestinians or the rest of the world.

This is a terrible act, the killing of a spiritual leader. It is an act of state terrorism and will only stir up hatred in the Arab and Muslim world. And innocent people will lose their lives as a result. Why does Sharon sacrifice his people's lives and the lives of others by his ignorant murderous policy? He leads the world down an awful path without sanction, and the world is will suffer because of him.

I encourage all American citizens to contact our representatives in Congress to express our deep disappointment at Mr. Bush's reactions. The "Israel has a right to defend itself" mantra is wearing thin. Encourage them to condemn the killing.

It is obvious to me that Sharon does NOT want peace. HE wants the whole of Palestine for the Israelis. ::He is the cause of all the trouble and incites state terrorism.

ISRAEL NEVER INTENTS ON WANTING PEACE WITH THE PALESTINIAN NATION. THE TRUTH IS THAT HE WAS PUTTING ON A SHOW TO WITHDRAW FROM GAZA,SO IT WOULD LOOK LIKE HIS TRYING TO SOLVE THE ISRAELI AND PALESTINIAN PROBLEM AND LOOK LIKE A GOOD GUY WHEN IN FACT HIS THE DEVIL IN DISGUISE! ANYWAY, WHY WOULD THEY WANT TO LEAVE WB AND GAZA WHEN THEY WANT TO BUILD HERROD'S BUILDING, GREATER ISRAEL AND START A AMMAGEDON. ::MAY ALLAH BLESS YOU PALESTINE TO STAY STRONG AND FIGHT THE OCCUPIERS.

Agree that Israel wants to seem tough to appease the right-wing. Actually, what are the consequences of an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza? Some have said that they would shut down the water supply needed for cultivation by the Palestinians after a withdrawal, and there would be similar hostile acts upon withdrawal, if it occurs. Is there info on this point? In the meantime, those of you affected by the occupation should realize that there is growing knowledge and support for your situation, despite the role of our government. Lutherans know of the effect on the six Lutheran congregations on the West Bank, particularly Christmas Lutheran in Bethlehem.:: Galen L. Gockel, Oak Park, IL USA