... self-determination. Striking a balance between Palestinian national aspirations and Israeli security concerns is the key to finding a realistic solution, and the survival of both states; Israel and Palestine. Separation can be achieved through peaceful negotiations or by unilateral action. The Oslo Accords intended to obtain the former whereas the wall being built at present aims at the latter. Personally, I hope that despite the wall, both sides will eventually return to the negotiating table. Within Israel, the major long-term challenge, I suspect, will be to ensure that the ties that bind Israelis remain far stronger than those forces threatening to pull the country apart. The most ominous of these forces-and the most difficult to solve-is the religious/secular divide. I strongly believe in insuring the distinctive Jewish character of the state. At the same time, history has amply demonstrated the dangers of excessive entanglement of religion and state. Indeed, bad as ...

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