Q. PM Binyamin Netanyahu has placed the demand for Palestinian recognition of Israel as a Jewish state at the center of his negotiating position. What are the ramifications of this demand for the future of negotiations?

Q. US peace envoy George Mitchell went straight to Damascus from the Sharm al-Sheikh and Jerusalem talks of Sept. 14-15 between Israelis and Palestinians, amidst rumors that a major effort would now be made to renew Israeli-Syrian peace talks. Why now?

Questions answered cover: Strategic trends in the Jewish New Year, 5771; The passing of Major General (ret.) Yisrael Tal; Israel Foreign Ministry rejection of a visit by five European foreign ministers; Unusual high-level Israeli visits to Athens and Moscow.