At times that conscience may seem to be dormant, and it will certainly remain dormant as long as the Jews in Israel and elsewhere have to fear that a Palestinian majority would take revenge on them. In all negotiations you have to leave your adversary a safe and graceful way out. The guiltier he is, the more he needs assurance of mercy if he makes concessions. The reason Ariel Sharon won a landslide victory in the recent elections is that Palestinian violence has turned many of Israel's doves into hawks. Many Americans who thought slavery was wrong were nevertheless afraid of emancipation, because they feared that the freed slaves would avenge themselves on whites.
Perfect love casteth out fear, but fear can cast out conscience - even fear of justice.
The Jewish conscience is the Palestinians' greatest weapon, but they are wasting it by frightening the Jews to death. The Jews know very well that the Palestinians regard them, with much reason, as oppressing conquerors. But the conquerors can only be conquered by peace.