I realize this may be seen as unrealistic, since diplomacy, like nature, abhors a vacuum. However, I can see no political solution reconciling the positions on either side: Palestinians, while polls show they favor a two-state solution, have not fundamentally disagreed with Hamas' desire to pursue independence through, among other means, the armed struggle. Israelis imagine they can resolve the Palestinian problem unilaterally, by hiding behind a high wall in the West Bank and ignoring Palestinian rights. In this context, mediation is nothing more than management of stalemate.

Something has to give. Unfortunately, it may take more tragedies like what is going on in Gaza today for both sides to realize that the only workable solution is one that is mutually acceptable -- existentially. We're nowhere near that, and there is a danger that the longer the conflict lasts the less the mutual desire to coexist will be. Palestinian rhetoric is reminiscent of the militant 1970s; and Israelis are caught in a Pollyannaish belief, floated by Ariel Sharon, that they can forget the Palestinians by setting up an iron wall of defense.

A Palestinian rocket hit Ashkelon yesterday, the furthest that Palestinian Qassams have reached to date. Build a wall and the Palestinians will find a way to go over it. Bomb Israel enough times, and the Israelis will reinvade where they withdrew from. Both sides must be cut loose to find their way out of this nightmarish labyrinth.