Shalom Wins! (Silvan, That Is)

As this report illustrates, all wisdom does not lie with Ariel Sharon.

Sharon had repudiated a very logical proposal of Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom who announced that if Hamas takes over the Palestine Authority in the democratic elections to be held in July, then Israel should reconsider the disengagement policy.

Sharon, pig-headed, er, sorry, (as that's unkosher), then sheep-headed as usual, insisted that Israel go forward, er, sorry, (as that's the wrong direction), then backwards, and complete the disengagement that will bring Hamas-launched Kassams into his own backyard.

The one who took Shalom seriously was Mahmoud Abbas, who's non de guerre, no matter what Steve Erlanger writes, is Abu Mazen. Some of his associates were suggesting that perhaps the elections should be delayed at least until Israel finalises the withdrawal.