An issue of leadership

Over the years Ariel Sharon has done things that I look on from afar with a certain amount of distaste. The same might be said for Shimon Peres. While Peres, to the best of my knowledge, never led the commando teams as did Sharon, he still has been an active participant in Israel's government for many years.
Now, to be fair, many of my perceptions are dmittedly colored. I have never walked a mile in their shoes. As has been pointed out, Israel, to survive, has to win every war. Losing a war is losing their national identity, it is that precarious. And while some might question the validity of their existence...it is enough simply to point to the competing White Papers, the diplomatic correspdondance shenanigans, and so forth...the fact remains they do exist as a nation, founded in blood as has been...well, EVERY country...seriously, if Israel is not legitimate then is the United States? Taken from the people who occupied it (who themselves drove out the previous occupants it seems), taken by force from the "legitimate" rulers in warfare...sound similar?
Are we any more anxious to rectify our questionable founding than Israel? So it makes it much harder, when viewed in that light, to be as critical of certain methods Israel has used, including actions of Peres, Netanyahu, Sharon...
But we are living in tumultuous times.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3176949,00.html
This is huge. The idea that long time rivals might work together because the need for peace is finally coinciding with a desire for peace among the leaders. Seeing even the Druze included is one of the most promising signs I have seen in years. Hopefully the radicals on all sides can keep their guns quiet and more meaningful progress can be made.
Peace at any price is easy to call for when it does not mean you personally lose your home, your identity, and possibly your life. But it seems some of the leadership of Israel has found a price they are willing to pay. Here is hiping that continues.