>>Hezbollah probably did so, because they thought it was about time for a showdown, and figuring they may have a large enough club. The children of those who died in Ramala have just grown up, and they see what's happening in Gaza. I figure they were fed up with all of it and decided to provoke Israel into what Israel was itching to do anyway.
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>You do know that all those so-called refugee camps exist only because Arab leaders told their people to leave their homes in 1948 and that they'd be able to return in a few days, right? In the nearly 60 years, since the Israelis won their War of Independence, none of the Arab states has bothered to incorporate these people and their descendants into their societies.
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That's a valid point, but I don't think it's that simple. The Palestinians don't want to live just any old place that will have them. They want to live in what they consider their holy land. Unfortunately for them, that territory is the holy land of Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. That's the crux of the matter. I am not anti-Israel but it would probably be a lot more peaceful if they were a little more willing to share.

I don't expect you to agree, and that's fine. We're old friends so we can disagree without it being nuclear.

PS -- I liked your description of a good relationship. Like Bonnie, I agree with you 100%. So I guess we're with you 200% ;-)