Like Ismail, I, too, found Mr. Michaelson's conclusions at the end of his opera review a bit disconcerting.  It is not enough to be uncomfortable at a government policy which restricts the movements of a people, expands illegal settlements on land not its own, and makes accessing electricty, water, health care, and even employment  more and more diffictult.  Arguments which allow mistreatment of others for the greater good can lead and do lead to the justification of torture and other human rights violations.  That is a road which we, as ethical and moral people, should not be willing to travel.  Where is our Jewish Mandela, our peacemakers?  Do we not have people with vision who are willing to work for peace, justice, and security for all those who see the land of Israel and Palestine as their home??