the quest for peace; Israel's brief history has been fraught with violence, fear, and unrest-not least in this summer's war with Hezbollah.

Byline: Janine Di Giovanni

Hiding underground while an aerial assault is taking place is a terrible experience. You crouch into a ball, trying to protect yourself. You might hear the scream of planes high above or the gasps of people around you, but you know you are utterly helpless. You feel claustrophobic; your stomach freezes in fear. But you think you will be safer underground than outside or up in your apartment.

If the bomb hits, the roof and floors collapse; dirt fills your mouth and nose, and you suffocate. If you are lucky, you die quickly. If not, you feel your bones break like a fine china dish dropped on a floor as concrete and rubble fall on ...