VOL. XLIV

No. 23

4 June 2001

The Political Scene

The fighting and dying in the West Bank and Gaza and Israel continued, though less dramatically than in the days preceding publication of the Mitchell Committees efforts to bring stability to the area and the unilateral announcement on 22 May of a "ceasefire" by the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon. To add to the Palestinians misery, the deaths occurred of two of their most effective and respected public figures.

Prospects Grim As Patience Ebbs...