Thank you Edith,

A trip to Europe is always interesting. This does not mean, that it is also always pleasant. Frankly, it was sometimes annoying to notice the general bias against Israel in print and sound, as it was noticed mainly in Belgium and France. The main concern was expressed about the "human rights" denied to the Arabs, but about "Jewish life," nobody seems to care. Europe, which was for generations astute in the rules of wars, and I mean the rules to fight for the sake to achieve victory, suddenly, when it comes to Jews - "victory," became a dirty word. The "victorious" is not hailed any more - the "looser" Is! The stronger people are automatically denounced as guilty and the weaker - as innocent. America - for instance, is strong and decent - also a reason for Europeans to be skeptical and reserved, though the USA always rescued them from their self-created mess.

It was interesting that Germany's foreign minister happened to visit Israel Just at the time when a Palestinian terrorist blew himself up outside the Tel-Aviv discotheque. By chance he stood at the balcony of his hotel opposite the discotheque and saw the explosion and the carnage. He left his room, crossed over the street and walked between the Jewish teenagers' scattered bodies. Joschka Fischer, foreign Minister of Germany, was reluctant to engage in high diplomacy in Europe and avoided intervening in decisions of the European Unity government. But seeing this tragedy, he could not hold back. Following day, he faced Yasser Arafat and in ultimate form said: "You've got 24 hours to stop killing the Jews." Soon enough, the Chairman announced his willingness in assisting in obtaining a cease-fire." We are aware of the value of Arafat's promises, yet, without the scare to loose out on Europeas yearly support of two billions, he would not even had bothered to say it. Joschka Fischer got a booster and promised to speak up also in Europe. For us Jews, it may be almost grotesque to state, that after the USA - Germany is our best friend.

What happened to the decent people whose calls for justice fade out when dealing with justice to the Jewish people? It is not so long ago, that the world reacted enthusiastically when under leadership of Abdul Nasser, the coalition of Arab countries who went out to destroy Israel, was clobbered. The victory of the defenders were generally recognized and hailed.

It took a man - though crowned as Nobel Laureate for peace - to change the accepted laws of fairness. Using a cheep theatrical prop on his head, a saccharine smile and a gun in his hand, this man succeeded to change the laws. Victory means defeat and defeat means victory. According to this; When the Palestinians claim to have 400 of their people killed - Israel has to show an achievement of 401 victims to win. To understand Israel's situation, you have to imagine a sportive event, whereas the winner is, who comes in last. The same logical concept is also used when we hear the Arab claim the sole ownership of Jerusalem. Jerusalem is theirs, because it is their 'third' holy place. Who would accept the claim of the third winner in the race that not only he is entitled to the bronze, but also to the silver and even the golden Medal.

I am sure, that if such kind of rules would be condoned at the Olympic games an outcry would be heard all over the world. Some would react furiously, some with a bewildered laughter.

But we hear almost none of this today. The politicians, the Media, some "bleading brain" idealists try in perceived evenhandedness to use their honest feelings and promote instead lies and potential disaster.

Not everybody has the opportunity, as German's foreign Minister Joschke Fischer had, to experience personally a glimpse at the genesis of a new Holocaust. But for mankind which planes a trip to Mars it would not be too much to ask to glance also in our soul and to the Al-mighty. We could find there more basis for justice and betterment of mankind.

I am Barry Cohen

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