Former Shin Bet security service director Ami Ayalon, co-sponsor with Palestinian university president Sari Nusseibeh of a grassroots campaign to gather signatures on a petition calling for a peace settlement based on two states, told Maariv that the left must not regain power in Israel. “The left will not succeed in passing an agreement with the Palestinians. Only the Likud is capable of removing settlements,” he said.

Yeah. That’ll happen. And just a side note, the Left did succeed in passing an agreement. It’s called The Geneva Accord (which I might add, the World Jewish Congress now intends to support).

Suprisingly, Resident Bush today “called on Israel to freeze settlement construction, dismantle unauthorized outposts, end the humiliation of the Palestinians and not prejudice final negotiations with walls and fences.”

Of course, the news was immediately dismissed by Ariel Sharon. In the meantime, the PLO is planning an offensive against Israel’s new security barrier.