Even if Netanyahu is willing to bow to realism, some of his coalition partners might leave his government.

The reasons are more immediate than the intractable character of Middle East peace making. Even if Netanyahu is willing to bow to realism, some of his coalition partners might leave his government.

But, in a world in which we can know what is happening everywhere all the time, what responsibility will we feel or be burdened with? Already, many people are withdrawing.

To many Americans, especially of the neo conservative persuasion, Dutch behavior might confirm all their suspicions about perfidious Europeans, addicted to material comforts, while remaining childishly dependent on US military protection. When the going gets tough, they argue, the Europeans bow out.