The situation has reminded Israelis that the country's economy is largely dependent on its political enemies.

It is there, in the rocky hillsides, that Syrian-backed fighters in Hezbollah remind Israelis that Syria remains a military threat in the absence of a peace treaty.

Likud commercials flash scenes of recent bus bombings, while Mr. Netanyahu somberly reminds Israelis they must fear walking the streets.

The idealists hoped that the hostilities would serve to remind Israelis and Palestinians of the chaos that could await them if they abandoned the peace effort.

The disaster Saddam Hussein's adventuring brought Iraq reminded the Arabs and Israelis that the world will not tolerate efforts to resolve the region's rivalries militarily.

Mr. Peres would have found it difficult to remind Israelis of the complicity and intentions of the Syria he was courting and offering the Golan Heights.

But the attack reminded Israelis that if Mr. Hussein remained in power after allied forces left the region, Israel might very well face the Iraqi military alone.

Moreover, Mr. Hartman said, the trial is beneficial because it reminds Israelis at time when the society is drifting why the state was built.

A flurry of fatal training accidents reminded Israelis recently that perils lurk in the army even with no war and with the often-violent Palestinian uprising at a low ebb.

Aroma, with its healthy focus, is not offering the one dish that most reminds Israelis of home: schnitzel.