One never knows what to say; or one does know what to say but it would take too long to explain the good and the bad and the reasons for both: the scent of jasmine and the taste of figs in the summer; the art of reflecting pools in Islamic gardens; the warmth and hospitality of Arab culture; the progressive elements of society and people who could blend productively into any part of the Western world.

It would be preferable not to get lost in the cobwebs of the historical causes of our current upheaval; we would be accused of a belief in conspiracy theories. It would also be advisable not to get emotional about the injustice that has been done to this region and stay away from rhetoric.

Admittedly, charity has to begin at home and the new generation of level headed leaders and technocrats is moving mountains to put the Arab house in order and coordinate the economic symbiosis that must precede any attempt at an Arab say, or sway, in international politics.

Until then, it is regrettable that the homeland of motherhood and apple pie stands squarely behind Israel as the sole representative of American interests in the Middle East.

Sharon has sold his vision of threat perception in this region to an American administration that seems not to have the time or the inclination to look any further into the matter. So what we are getting is the simultaneous bombing of Iraq and the Palestinians. It is a reality that even the most hardened pro-Westerners among us must look at with horror and a great deal of shame for allowing it to happen.

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak is telling the West that this will cause terrorism. That is undoubtedly true. What is worse is that it could even turn some of us, brought up on MTV, into admirers of disciplined fanaticism, like Hizbollah's.

The new American policy in the Middle East, like the new Israeli policy, is not making friends and influencing people. Instead, it is creating a great deal of respect for the elements that have kept themselves squarely opposed to Western interests in the region because they saw them for what they are now increasingly becoming: an obvious vessel for Israeli interests above all things.

The Palestinians are now gathering their civilian forces to face all the military might the state of Israel has to offer. They also have to face the extremism of the settlers armed, among other weapons, with their unique one-on-one relationship with God as his "chosen people" and their "rights" to well built, and heavily subsidised, housing on Palestinian lands.

It is a time for all of us, Arabs, Westerners, Israelis, peace camp or otherwise, to feel increasing shame and futility at the horror of all that has come to pass over the last six months. None of this should have come to pass. History is going to judge this Palestinian Masada with repulsion for all those who let it happen.

Responsibility is part of power. The ability to kill and maim should not license murder. Whatever cycle of violence excuse is claimed, the greater responsibility lies with those who have the power to cause this much pain to another people. The injustice that has been done to the Palestinians is unforgivable. The horror that is still being inflicted on them is beyond excuse. Their suffering mirrors all that is wrong with the Arab nation, trapped by the remote controls of our satellite systems.

The Israelis are quick to find fault with the Arabs, but their very "superiority" makes them more to blame and their manipulation of power is an injustice to the world.

The land of motherhood and apple pie, and the Bible belt of America, the largely decent folk in an insular country ruled by big business, and the power in Washington are not seeing the reality of what is happening. The Jewish stranglehold on US media, money and morality is a far cry from the Little House on the Prairie. The irony is that some Israelis, at heart, know that.

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