Another raisin-loving Arab* pulls his pin in Israel — this time at a Jerusalem bus stop adjacent to a crowded outdoor market. Initial reports have 6 dead, 62 injured. Maybe Sharon can escort Powell to the site for a diplomatic “fact finding” mission (“Mr. Powell, look! I’ve located a tricep — and what I believe to be an ear!”)

Meanwhile on GMA, the Middle East coverage focuses on Ariel Sharon’s “defiance” in the face of U.S. “demands” that he order Israeli troops to pull out from the West Bank. Charlie Gibson interviewed a Palestinian spokesperson who yammered on about Israeli soldiers butchering Palestinians, brutal occupation, blah blah blah. Normally, these spokespeople are forced to talk over the questions or interjections of journalists. Not this time. Gibson just furrowed his brow and Nodded Knowingly.

(Related: To his credit, Secretary of State Powell appears to have softened his rhetoric on the timetable for an Israeli military pullback, saying he’s satisfied that Sharon is working to remove troops as quickly as is possible.

Hmmm. Does the rope-a-dope live? Ask the PLO, D.C. chapter…)

*[update: another exploding female, ‘t turns out. The Al-Aqsa Brigade is claiming responsibility. Note that she chose a Friday, just before the Sabbath, to target a crowded market; we’ll see if this latest mass murder changes Powell’s plans to meet with Arafat…]

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