Today's Sydney Morning Herald (23 Sept 2009) has an interesting op-ed piece by Middle East correspondent Jason Koutsoukis. But it doesn't appear in the Melbourne Age, which is a great pity.

He notes:

" Last Friday, according to Jewish New Year’s tradition, Barak gave an interview to Israel’s biggest selling newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.

Instead of the usual palaver about the threats facing Israel, Barak surprised his questioners with this frank admission.

“Iran does not pose an existential threat to Israel,” said Barak."

The whole piece, which argues that the Occupation is now the major threat to peace, is well worth reading.