Stardate 20020223.1713

(On Screen): It's beginning to look as if the political strain caused by the Intifada will cause the current Israeli government to fall. This government has always been an uneasy coalition, with hard-liners asking for one thing and Peres and Labour asking for the opposite.

If that happens it should not be a cause for celebration by partisans of the Palestinians. There's a good chance that the result will be formation of a new government without Labour, consisting only of hardliners. Peres has been a moderating influence on Sharon all along; without his involvement a new government, possibly led by Netanyahu, could become even more militant and hard line towards the Palestinians. It's not inconceivable that a new election might lead to an all-out war.