Murderers of Peace

Islamic foes want the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier -- and its tragic outcome -- to kill peace negotiations

It ought to have been a wonderful day for Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat. On Friday the Israeli and Palestinian leaders, along with Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, were named the recipients of this year's Nobel Peace Prize, the highest trophy politicians can hope for. Yet there was no jubilation in Tel Aviv or Gaza City. The honor had been spoiled by tortured and ultimately fruitless attempts by both Palestinians and Israelis to avoid a tragedy. The poignance and pitilessness of lives well below the heights of power had overshadowed political priorities, and the 13-month effort to implement peace was thrown...

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