A couple of weeks ago an acquaintance asked me what the Palestinian politicians I had interviewed said about the intifada. I told him that I had never spoken with Hamas politicians about the intifada, only Fatah people, and that they all told me the terror attacks had been a mistake. Actually, what they said was that taking the intifada to a violent level had been a mistake.

And why do you think they believe it was a mistake? asked my acquaintance.

Well, look at the consequences, I answered: The 2002 IDF invasion of the West Bank, the separation barrier, the ruined Palestinian economy, the -

Actually, interrupted my acquaintance, I don't think that's the reason.

So what is? I asked.

I think they figured out that terrorism just doesn't work, he responded. Look at Tel Aviv, for example. Business is booming, real estate prices are higher than they ever were, the nightlife and culture life are thriving, there's growth and optimism everywhere. Even at the height of the suicide bombings the nightlife and the culture life were thriving. And look at New York, London and Madrid. They're all booming too, despite the Al Qaeda attacks. Terrorism didn't make a dent.

The way I see it, he continued, those terrorists must be completely frustrated. They must be wondering what the hell they have to do to cause some real damage.

Then he leaned back in his chair, puffed quietly on his cigar, and said: It's just something I've been thinking about lately.

Later I recounted this conversation to Noorster via IM.

Who is this Yoda? she asked.