The victims of the Itamar massacre.

As peace talks floundered again, and the usual “he said/she said” bickering flared, we were shockingly reminded why there just might not be peace in the Middle East. In truth, to the avid follower of Israeli affairs, it really isn’t shocking anymore — but it still leaves you speechless every time.

In “For You”, a PA TV program dedicated to prisoners in Israeli prisons, the Fogel family murderers were sent messages of praise and encouragement. Referring to Hakim Awad, the 17 year old sentenced to more than five life sentences; his aunt called him a “hero” and a “legend” to which the show’s host responded, “We also wish them well.”

By “them” she meant Hakim and Amjad Awad – cousins – who butchered a family of five while they slept; husband and wife, Udi and Ruthie Fogel, and three of their children: Yoav (11) Elad (4) and baby Hadas (four months).

She wished them well. “Them”: Murderers, blood brothers, baby killers. And this was broadcast for all to see.

Shocking? True. But we have come to expect this savagery from a culture that lovingly sends sons and daughters to blow themselves to smithereens in crowded buses, cafes and discotheques – all in the name of spilling Jewish blood. What is truly shocking, however, is the timeliness of this affair and how it is conveniently swept under the rug of diplomacy, so the world can stare blindly at the mess their naivety has created.

In a Quartet-brokered meeting last week between Yitzchak Molcho and Saeb Erekat in Jordan, the chief Israeli negotiator broached the issue of incitement within the Palestinian Press. He quoted the hadiths spewed earlier that week by Jerusalem’s Grand Mufti that called for “the death of all Jews.”

The issue remained unconcerned. The peace talks failed the next day.

And no wonder.

How can you discuss borders with those who call for your demise? Those who do not simply rest by their genocidal sentiments, but feed it to the next generation? Those who’s spiritual leaders – and who doesn’t respect a man of the cloth? – oft-repeat this crazed incitement?

For the Palestinians the peace talks have ended; no appealing stance on borders was proposed. For Israel they haven’t even begun – for how can you talk peace with a neighbor who teaches his children to murder yours?

A video of the episode on PA TV is below.