Hi, Raoul.

Responding to the Palestinian part of your post, I believe Europeans must get a different information set than that available in the US.

First, I think the American people have an inherent sense of fair play, do not like to see oppression, and instinctively favor the underdog in a fair fight. I don't think that is as strong as it used to be, with professional sports fostering a "win at any price, no matter how fairly" attitude which is gaining a foothold. But, basically, it's still there.

Here, there's no effective Palestinian population or voice. There is a very large Jewish population, and a heads-up, smart Israeli lobby. The media has little incentive to play the Palestinian grievances. I can remember complaints of anti-Semitism coming after programs which air the Palestinian point of view. The pro-Israeli lobby is heard, loud and clear, while there really isn't a Palestinian lobby with access to the media.

The American people are left with a view of Israel as being under constant threat of extinction, and gamely, bravely defending their very being. One time that was true, and America came to the aid of the underdog.

Now, I happen to agree that the US should guarantee Israels right to exist. Period, without question, end of that debate.

And, over the last 55 years or so that situation has settled. Israel is there to stay. Does Israel need to be an oppressive occupational force, making the lives of Palestinians miserable when there is so-called "peace"?

Nope. The Palestinians have a legitimate grievance. And no one pays them any attention until they start blowing themselves up. There isn't an American worthy of a passport who wouldn't do the same thing.

But the way it's played in the media is terrorism-retribution, terrorism-retribution, over and over. That makes no sense, as in times of peace the Israeli occupation of Palestine is in effect, low-grade terrorism on a continuing basis. But, if you have an army it doesn't seem to be terrorism.

I have complete faith that the American people would seek fairness if they had more balanced information.

Arf