I was just pointing out to Tom that it was not so simple as the Palestinians just stopping the terror and accepting their new homeland. I was pointing out that they made a deal at the first Camp David, for instance, withheld -- for a period -- from terrorism. And received no homeland. (This has nothing to do with "liberal arts" and everything to do with history, Phil.)

Israel has not bargained in good faith. Before the ink was dry they were moving more settlers in to areas they were prohibited from, by agreement. Terrorism restarted. The Israelis then blame the lack of a Palestinian homeland on the terrorism.

As to your sarcastic point: I think that if they had any faith that the negotiations might succeed then they probably would cool the terrorism. Really: do you hold out much hope for a peaceful solution coming out of these negotiations?

One other thing I would point out: the terrorists do not represent all Palestinians. Many (maybe most) Palestinians would prefer for the shooting to stop, and for their jobs to resume. And yes: Palestinians who are mature enough to run a nation can be found.