I have about 5 tabs open right now to read up on this latest leak. But once I do that I’ll inevitably have less clarity than I do now, so first I’ll just offer some initial reactions based on a quick perusal of online media (and of course NPR).

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strong>Is Israel finally losing the image game?

Maybe. The propaganda machine of the Israeli government has thus far been incredibly successful in rallying mass global support for Israeli policies, mostly citing security concerns as justifications for violence and occupation.Shiri once commented that the Gaza flotilla was an exception; for the first time it seemed like public opinion was against Israel’s actions. I agree. Could this be a repeat of that phenomenon? Clearly the Palestinian negotiators are offering huge concessions while the Israelis don’t budge, which looks bad. How bad it looks remains to be seen.

Palestinian Negotiators: Pragmatists or Puppets?

I’ve often decried the rhetoric of “two-sides” and “us vs. them.” I

insist that being Pro-Palestine and Pro-Israel are not mutually exclusive. It is clear, however, and truly in the nature of negotiation, that both parties will have to relinquish some

of their ideology to achieve any solution.

What does this mean for the Right of Return? I don’t have a good answer, but it doesn’t seem like a full right of return is feasible, even though it is the just solution. But for the Palestinian team to give it up? Is that pragmatism? Maybe, but it also goes against the hopes and dreams of the vast majority of Palestinians in Palestine, abroad, and crowded into refugee camps. It also strengthens the feeling that many Palestinians I’ve spoken to voice: the government of the PA does not represent them; it is an Israeli puppet.

Other Random Thoughts:

- Does this really merit protesting in front of Al Jazeera?

- Who dunnit? My money’s

on Wikileaks.

More later…