Israel.

Editor,

With respect to fretting over the position of Israel in relation to the revolution that is now sweeping the Arab streets: The Israelis were foolish to have assumed that the balance of power that allowed them to brutalize, humiliate, bomb, and treat the Palestinian people with contempt would last forever.

The day that I realized what Israel's true colors are is the day that Ariel Sharon walked on the Temple Mount, clad in his heavy shoes, you see, and this was immediately after the hopes of the world had been elevated by the most fruitful "negotiations" between Israel and the Palestinians in years, facilitated by President Bill Clinton.

One should realize that one can only hold all of the cards for so long. Then things change. That is why kindness and generosity should underlie everything that everybody does.

Re: "Beyond Mubarak" (2/2/2011)