Thank you Edith,

The commentary for the events of last week could be summarized with one sentence - "more of the same." More bombing in Afghanistan, more looking for the invisible enemy and more accusations of innocents. The latest loudly heralded defamation is, that the Jews were behind the attacks of September 11. You don't believe it?.. Yes, you can. This libel does not come from Mr.Bin Laden, who sits smiling in his cave, smiling, because he knows exactly who did it. Also the other promoters of this "big time lie," know it, but what the heck? "The Jews did it!" From Arab ministers, Mosques, newspaper, radio and TV, the culprits are the Jews. There was no Jew - so the lie goes - in the Twin Towers, because they had been forewarned. The Jews also misused their pre-knowledge to manipulate the stock market and to make billions. These lies are repeated on and on and the longer they are heard, the more they are believed.

But we should not be surprised. Even in the fair world, in Democracies, in countries that pride themselves to be just, whose media is free, there is no freedom from being biased. In Paris, France, hundreds of Arabs brutally attacked Jews and many were injured. The police took its sweet time to intervene mildly against the assailants and the press responded, - with deep silence. In South Africa, at the struggle against "Apartheid," the strongest non-black supporters were Jews. Yet, in Durham, South Africa, suddenly nobody remembered. Magically the Jews had turned themselves into dangerous racists. On the other hand, an amazing coalition of most of the free world's media has united against Israel. Of course every bigoted report will be explained away sanctimoniously with evenhandedness. Even if the truth is presented - a new dictionary is created to convey their coverted message.

A few samples: If Arabs attack Jews - the report says: "violence broke out. When Israel protect itself, they say: "Israeli soldiers attacked." When the Palestinians bombed - they never forget to add, "it was in retaliation of Israeli provocation." Palestinian attacks were not performed by Palestinians, but by "militants." Prime Minister Sharon, is mostly mentioned as "hardliner," while Arafat is not. The assassinated Israeli Minister was never mentioned without his first name being "extremist." The "settlers" occupied Arab land, as if they went out to attack the Palestinians and not the other way around. Everybody forgot that this land was taken in a war of defense. Even those, who don't believe that the so called "settlers," live on God's given land, should know the difference between attacking and defending.

But of course this is not new in Jewish history. Once - Jews with German citizenship used to live in Poland and Jews with Polish citizenship in Germany. When Jewish Germans were beaten in Poland and complained at the German embassy, the German government protested with the Polish government and threatened: "When you beat our Jews, we will beat your Jews." Some things never change.

But this should give us the lesson, that in spite of the improved Jewish position, as being part of our wonderful land, we have also to adhere to our individual Jewish values. We have to seek more power in our ancient spirituality and find strength and comfort in unity and with God's help will master also these problems.

I am Barry Cohen

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