Thank you Edith,

This is the first issue of the "World from a Jewish perspective," for the year 2002. No comment is necessary to judge the situation of the Jewish people as is fared during last year. We all now, that it was bad. It is obviously impossible to foresee the quality of the coming year, but we can observe the starting point and draw some conclusions. And it is not all -bad. The Jewish population outside of Israel grew and has strengthened. An impressive increase in numbers of Jews emerged in the former Soviet states. At that time, the Jewish population was estimated at 2 ½ million. Yet after 1 ½ million have emigrated, the current estimate is still 2 ½ million. This is not a miracle and not due to an explosive birthrate. It happened, that many Jews came out of hiding and reattached themselves to their previously forbidden and almost forgotten religion. The assistance they received, mainly from their brethren in the USA and Israel made this metamorphose possible. Germany has again a population of 100,000 Jews and many countries have an increased Jewish population with strong Jewish identification and observance of traditions. Argentina's 200,000 Jews have problems of anti-Semitism and economy and most of them plan to leave, mainly to Israel. The smallest Jewish community we could find are 20 families in Indonesia.

In spite of many concerns, the Jewish population in the USA is strong and improved education and cultural and religious activities makes it even stronger. As for Israel, Israel is not singled out anymore as victim from and fighter against terrorism, but belongs effectively to the line of the worldwide freedom fighters.

General Anthony Zinny arrived again in Israel. He may be impressed, that this time there will be no massive attacks on Israelis. Mr. Arafat will put up his "pecae-loving" smile and declare: "You see how good I am? I made 100% effort to stop the violence." I doubt that the General will believe him. Arafat has his: "Now you see it, now you don't- trick," used too many times. When political efficiency demands it, he pulls back the attackers. Some of his terrorists are arrested and imprisoned in nice homes with private exit. He teaches his followers, that - though terror is not a crime - political incorrectness is. In between he calls for "time out," feeds them well and prepares them for the next Intifada. Since the "Peace-process," began, he had played this game many times over.

It is amazing how many articles appear in our Media, which still condemn Israel for all evil. Some of these keywords relate to: stealing of Arab land, the sham of the "settlements," and the terrible hard-liner Sharon. Even if we omit to discuss the right for Arab land, it is ridiculous to return anything unless peace is assured. When someone succeeds in taking the revolver out of a mugger's hand, he surely will not return it, unless he is sure not to be attacked again.

The Arab propaganda is successful and believed by many. Lies are easily disseminated but hard to prove wrong. Lies fly easily out of a mouth, like a bird from a cage, but when the bird sits on your shoulder, it is hard to clean the mess.

We have to be better informed. We have to know the truth and we have to speak up and to explain the situation as it is in reality and not as the enemy want the world to believe. It is a good New Year resolution to be a herald of truth.

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