31.   Israel has become an increasingly prosperous country in recent years seemingly on the verge of peace agreements with its Arab neighbors.

32.   Israel has peace treaties with two Arab neighbors and overwhelming military power.

33.   Israel, like its Arab neighbors, is in the throes of a cultural struggle between traditionalism and modernity.

34.   It is from this position of strength that the Israelis seek to make peace with the Palestinians, and other Arab neighbors.

35.   It is an issue that has always had the potential to upstage the threat Saddam posed to his Arab neighbors.

36.   Internationally, his legacy is to have made peace with Israel, and helped broker more realistic positions by his Arab neighbors in the Middle East peace process.

37.   Israel expanded its territory to the West Bank, Gaza Strip and the Golan Heights after that conflict with its Arab neighbors.

38.   It was the first summit meeting in which an Israeli met with the leaders of the three Arab neighbors with whom Israel has made peace.

39.   Like most Israelis who grow their own olives, the Yonays take theirs to Arab neighbors for pressing.

40.   Little wonder, then, that Assad has long been seen as the Arab neighbor with whom Israel most wants to make peace.