ABSTRACT
The fracture in Israeli society is evident in the political arena, in the partial erosion of the most consensual and previously hallowed value of defence and in the widespread search for a renewed consensus and solidarity. The obvious weakness of a government, rent between different and often opposing interests, was exacerbated by the political inexperience of the new Prime Minister, frequent incidents of ineptitude and his equivocal programme of action. The charges voiced internationally and by the Unconverted probably played a part in mitigating the government distrust of Palestinian intentions. Benjamin Netanyahu is the prime minister he put forward a plan according to which Israel would make further territorial concessions on condition of strict separation between the Palestinian entity and Israel and on condition that all settlements beyond the Green Line remain in place.
