I had great fun debating him in England some two years ago on the BBC.

In fact, one possibility is for some of the smaller parties such as Hadash, the greens and others is to do just what the right has done – come together in a block on a truly progressive – and relevant – platform. Such a platform should absolutely include full partnership with israelis of Arab origins, many of whom, after all, are yearning to come out of their villages and into the high tech society of israel.

Haim, why don’t you – or Gershon – write something about this kind of scenario – the possibility of bringing sections of the Arab origin israelis in from the cold? not as subservient yay sayers – as the labor did in years gone by – but as full – coalition-forming worthy – partners in a future, forward-looking government?

it really is too bad you’re still somehow denying that your green party, the other green party, and a couple of other fringe parties cost the left another vital seat or two, another voice in the knesset (like zehava galon) against the right that is bound to be ever-the-more belligerent (soldiers’ vote hasn’t been counted yet). and all for really insignificant differences and petty failure to stand united.

and it’s too bad the greens (and perhaps you among them) still believe the way to help the left is talking about beaches and water and pollution, which however important, are way back in the public’s priorities, and rightly so. the left didn’t at all present itself as an alternative to to the right and pseudo-right (kadima) — that’s the real problem.

A real shame.