Gaza: A memo to George Mitchell

A client of mine said to me this week. "If you can fix this issue of mine it's next stop Gaza". Makes you pause before fixing it doesn't it?

Of course you helped "fix" Northern Ireland in your way and now the new President has asked you to take on the big one: Israel, Palestine and all the rest. A great reward you might say.

Yet if any of us could play a part of "fixing" the big one wouldn't we grasp the chance with both hands if for no other reason than the horror of the last few weeks in Gaza will surely not be the last without a "fixing". And we cannot wash our hands and stand by. And in your case there are all those people who think the United States and the President can make all the difference: most likely by leaning on Israel whatever that means.

So let me indulge myself in some thoughts. The kind that would be big for me if I had to fill your shoes:

• Gerry Adams Martin McGuiness and Ian Paisley are all pure pussy cats when compared with the guys you will meet in the Middle East.
• Hatred and enmity have meanings here that are acted out with a ruthlessness found nowhere else on the planet
• All states eventually end up talking to the terrorists who attack them and yesterday's terrorist is tomorrow's prime minister
• Hamas will have to accept Israel's right to exist and otherwise has no political future
• Israel has to give up land on the West Bank and remove settlements there
• President Abbas must make gains from the Israelis to show that giving up violence does produce results
• However much we focus on the sufferings of the people in Gaza we will never forget the Holocaust
• Israel will eventually have to give up sole control of Jerusalem
• Day 1 sack Tony Blair
• Beware the Europeans and especially the French. All talk and no do.
• Leaders will always fear being told they were the one to sell out

And I will pray for you. Pray in hope and almost beyond hope.