The cease-fire between Israel and Hamas offers temporary peace at best. An agreement leading to permanent peace remains a long way off. But it is no dream — particularly if both observers and supporters of the Palestinians help nudge the parties along by not abusing words blindly targeting Israel. Proportionality. Hamas sent toward Israel 4,000 unguided missiles. Some landed in Gaza. Many were destroyed. Others struck Israeli civilians. Israel targeted Hamas military, intelligence and/or communications facilities to stop those attacks and delay the next wave. Tit for tat would have enabled thousands more rockets to strike Israel. Apartheid. Israeli Arabs often do not enjoy equal protection under the law, but South Africa Israel is not. Israeli Arabs serve in the Knesset, have served on the Supreme Court, occupy positions in medicine, law and the arts. Israeli security measures against West Bank attacks often are heavy-handed but, sadly, necessary. Note that Palestinians in the West Bank remain in limbo status; they are not Israeli citizens.