s incompetence is the issue of West Bank
settlements. This is something of a misnomer since while some of the
settlements are recklessly deep into the West Bank - Ariel (above), for instance - others are indistinguishable parts of Jerusalem. They are all, under international law, illegal. But some, regardless of legality, are going to stay. Even in the Middle East, common sense can play a role. The Jerusalem-area settlements are not going to be abandoned by Israel.