Thank you Edith,

With his "Comedy of errors," Shakespeare has confirmed also that the entire world is a stage. The difference is only that in real life - errors remain errors - but the comedies turn into 'drama.' To err is human, but not to learn from errors is not only stupid but dangerously costly.

Before WWII, America made the error in believing that it can distance itself from the war. But when Pearl Harbor happened, America got the message, learned from it and made the war a total war till victory. This time, America also neglected the all over danger of terrorism, but as from September 11, the lesson which should have been learned, did not sink in, as it should have. We see secretary Rumsfeld on TV defending the government for mistreating the 'poor' prisoners. When officials, whose duty it is to protect the life of our community, check a suspect, by profiling, some people feel terribly insulted.

In our concern for justice for Mr.John Walter Lindh, much ink was wasted, the wrong attitude of which, could cause the spilling of more of our blood, instead of ink. Many did not get it yet, that in this crucial war we have to put more trust into our elected government, instead of criticizing it constantly. In spite of our diversity, we have to see yet another country, which achieved this high standard of freedom and fairness. The continuation of this war will not always be as easy as it was so far and a lot of indulgence and determination will be needed.

In a special scene of the "comedy of errors," the act becomes completely absurd when we compare the opposing, yet ludicrous reasoning of Palestinians on one hand and some 'well-meaning' counselors for Israel on the other hand. While Palestinians believe that by more killing, by yet one more attack, Israel will capitulate, some good advisors, such as the gurus from Europe but even some Jews believe, that by giving in to Palestinian demands, if anything less than the destruction of Israel - the Palestinians will agree to peace. These mutual errors of judgement are the cause that no peaceful agreement between Israel and Palestinians can ever be achieved.

One of the magic remedies, as they are prescribed by many wise utopians lately, is for Arafat to make a hundred percent of efforts. If Arafat would make 100% effort and by this achieve his real goal, the Jews in Israel would disappear in the sea over night.

If also radical Islam could achieve its real goal - it would not mind to subscribe to the same sea-based solution also for the rest of the - non-Moslem - world. The free world has its fight cut out and it may take a century to save the world. The problem is not so much to kill the individual terrorist, but the sick and fanatic ideas, which drives them. With all the positive laws of Islam, there are extreme clerics preaching in mosques their pervert and extreme interpretations and infect their devoted believers to intolerance and deadly extremism.

The same holds also for Israel, which suffered already half a century of terrorism based on fanaticism behind it. It is time to face reality and to acknowledge that the generations of Palestinians, which were contaminated by teaching of hate, will not change.

As hard as it will be to accomplish, the only possible solution could be found by complete separation. The fences to be built are costly, but cheaper than blood. According to UN resolution 242, Israel should withdraw to defendable and recognized borders. As the Palestinians don't recognize any border of Israel, Israel has first to create its defendable borders. If the Arabs should not agree with these borders, they can try to negotiate for a change in good faith with Israel. They may also try to use their old means - force.

But then they can try it only out from their territory, from outside of Israel and not from inside, hiding in their Troyan horse.

Is this plan a good idea? No! But in lack of a better one - the best. It is worthwhile to try it, it can't get worse.

I am Shlomo Fleischmann

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