The Unending Struggle for Truth and Justice in the Embattled Middle East Purely Commentary Once again, war threats can be linked to appeasement. If it were not for the coddling of the Arabs by the Big Three, chances for peace in the Middle East would have been better. But the oil interests continue to dominate the scene, power politics re- mains the game of the hour and Israel once again is the scape- goat in a situation that may well lead to a world conflict. A single Soviet vote has, for the second time, overruled the unanimous decision of the non-Arab world to force an end to Egypt's blockade of Israel-bound ships through the Suez Canal. Such tactics undoubtedly win Moslem friends for the Kremlin, but they paralyze the United Nations, they weaken, the position of the Western Powers and they make matters worse for Israel. The Western Powers have placed themselves in a ridiculous position by their reactions to the frightening series of reprisals taking place in the embattled Arab-Israel areas. There was sil- ence when hundreds of Jews were murdered by Arab infiltrees into Israel. It was the misfortune of these Jewish victims of, Arab aggression that they were murdered singly or in small groups. Then came the Kibya tragedy which resulted from the vicious and regrettable cycle of events created by Arab insistence upon continuing an unnecessary war among cousins. The Big Powers were quick to condemn Israel. There followed the murder of 11 passengers on a Negev bus and once again: silence from the sanctimonious statesmen. But the reprisal at Nahhalin again re- sulted in a scathing rebuke of Israel—and the holier-than-thou politicians continue shamelessly to follow a policy of one-sided- ness which only gives courage to the war-mongers. The Dutch have a proverb to explain such inconsistency: "To see the 'mote in another's eye and not the beam in your own." And perhaps we also should remind the vacillating "statesmen," as they waver in their inconsistencies, of the. Spanish proverb: "Said the frying-pan to the kettle, 'Stand off, black bottom.' " In the interest of peace, it is high time that the world powers adopted a consistent stand in their dealings with the Middle Eastern problem. As matters are today, they stand condemned as inconsistent, perhapS even deliberately biased, acting in the interest of expediency rather than justice. The New York Herald Tribune gives a realistic interpretation to the present crisis when it charges editorially that "Russia's veto of a New Zealand pro- posal that Egypt stop interfering with Israel-bound shipping in the Suez Canal is the latest evidence of the grim political game which is being played for stakes which have little to do with the establishment of a just peace in the Near East." The Herald Tribune headline over the story dealing with the Nahhalin tragedy read: "Israel Raid Condemned Promptly." By having ignored the hurt to Isra,elisin 'the Negev massacre—while exercising . promptness in the Nahhalin reprisal, the UN Mixed Armistice Commission stands 'condemned as biased and Israel is proven to -have been justified in having walked out of.Such a corn- mission. Meanwhile audacity remains the ruling element in Arab quar- ters. Jordan's King Hussein I, in his 18 2.year-old wisdom, with an effrontery made possible by the encouragement his country re- ceives from the British-financed Arab Legion, generalled by John Bagot Glubb, asks the halting of assistance to Israel. The Mos- lem rulers, saturated With oil, dominating over areas more than 300 times the size of tiny Israel, begrudge their homeless cousins a place to breathe in. Nonetheless, gullible people fall prey to propaganda that Jews are the aggressors. The struggle for justice goes on unabated—while politicians are gambling with the destiny of nations by pursuing policies of inconsistency for the sake of expediency. * • Friday, April 9, 1954 Israel Sends Tombstone . The Blackest of Lies —.The•Half Truths The annual High SchoOl• Forum sponsored by the New York Herald Tribune provided a forum for Israeli and Arab students to present their viewpoints on "The Roots of Race Prejudice." A comparison of their . opinions helps throw light on the conflicting sentiments of the young spokesmen for two nations virtually at war. While the Israeli pleaded for understanding and for peace, the Lebanese was bitterly antagonistic. A Jordanian spokesman, Raja el Ajlouni, managed to throw in this barb: "American stu- dents asked me what we do in my country, Jordan, about sports. I said, 'We play them!' But I appreciated it very much when stu- dents who had heard only the Jewish side of our trouble with. Israel asked me to tell them the Arab side." In an atmosphere loaded with Arab-instigated anti-Israel propaganda, this is part of a scheme to give the impression that only Israel's side is heard! "A lie that is half a truth is ever the blackest of lies."—Tennyson). The chief participants in the Herald Tribune High School Forum included Nurit Auerbach of Israel and Thuraya Lababidy of Lebanon. Miss Auerbach had this to say: "When I first came here I could not understand how the Jews here are first of all Americans and then Jews. For me, as an Israeli, it was hard to understand how any Jew could live in any country other than Israel. How could they feel safe and secure in a foreign country after what had happened in the Second World War? "Now I have been here three months, I realize that in the United States it is different somehow. Different people came over here from all parts of the world. The Jews were only one of many different peoples of different backgrounds. "Many Jews here have - a very strong feeling toward Israel. They are ready to help and support it, but they feel that they are Americans first of all. Jews here think about themselves in many different ways. Sometimes they don't know exactly what to think. "To be truthful, I myself, Nurit, didn't find any prejudice against Jews at all in America. But I heard '.bout it a lot. I found not only prejudice of Christians against Jews but Jews who have prejudice, too. Gerhard, from Germany, told me that in one school he visited there are Jews who still feel much hatred against Germans. "During my stay here, for the first time, I had an opportunity to discuss the Israel-Arab problem. For the first time I heard the other side's opinion. Having to defend my country's position made me consider it with greater depth. I realized that 'there are always two sides to a coin.' "Once, Raja Ajlouni, from Jordan, and I were talking with Mattanee, from Thailand, trying to explain what had happened between Israel and Jordan. I was shocked to realize that we looked at the some fact in an entirely different way. This is The result of our education. I hate to be pessimistic, but I think that unless the people of our countries realize that there is another way of thinking, unless we are ready to admit our faults, and unless we try' to come to an agreement without 'being stubborn, Peace will never find its place in our countries. "I .haVe realized a very important fact which was not so ob-, vious for me before I came to this Forum. I am able to• like everybody no matter what his nationally is, no matter if he is an Arab, ar a German, or from any other 'country that does not — have good relationships with my country. As a human being, he To U.S. for Grave of or she can be my best friend. If more people would realize that. Poetess Emma Lazarus I think it would prevent them from being ready• to fight against TEL AVIV (JTA)—A special each other. tombstone with a marble "While talking to Raja,- for instance, I noticed a tension comes plate to be placed over the between us when we talk about our countries' problem. We could grave of the American Jewish not be free any more, although I was trying very hard to be nat- poetess Emma Lazarus was ural. Why should it be like that? Why could we not just forget shipped to New York by the about our governments? Why do our governments not try to take Foreign Ministry. A portion advantage of such a wonderful opportunity for their young people of one of Miss Lazarus' poems to meet, and perhaps to help to bring a better understanding to is inscribed on the base of their countries? 'A small help, but at least something. Instead of the Statue of Liberty in New' this, some governments limit their delegates and give them very York harbor. helpful orders and advice. How can the world reach its goal in such ways? "Many people get tired and bored talking about world peace. They say, 'Oh, yes, we have heard that already, but there is Kottler to Solo With nothing to do about it.' This indifferent point of view is very Center Symphony dangerous. Even if words about peace are repeated again, let us not become bored by the subject. We have to continue to discuss The Jewish Community Center it until we find solutions, not only written and spoken but prac- Symphony Orchestra, Julius ticed also." Miss Lababidy, however, injected into the discussion of "The Chajes, conductor, will present Roots of Prejudice" the following: Mischa Kottler as soloist in Bee- "What I know of human relationship in the world is limited. thoven's Concerto No. 4 in G Yet the over-all picture seems to be bad. Let me start from my Mt or in its next concert on own society, in the land where Moses received the Ten Command- April 20, in the Dexter Center. ments, where Jesus was crucified and where the message of Mo- Kottler, one of Detroit's most hammed spread in peace—even there in this Holy Land you can respected pian- . see prejudice against those very same religions which preached i.sts, was born in against prejudice. They are even more deep-rooted than that; it Kiev, Russia. He is not only, against the religion itself, but against the person that' began his music practices it, and even against the child who was born to parents studies on t h e who practice this religion. And I believe that in other countries violin at the of, the world, where religious differences do not exist, the genius age of four. At of man has created other forms of prejudices, those of race, five he switched money, social class or ideology. to piano. When "Before I came to the United States I had prejudice against he was seven, all the Jews in the world, because I was an eye-witness to what Kottler entered happened in the Zionist occupation of Palestine. But now, after the Imperial meeting many Jews in the United States who agree with the Conservatory of Arabs in many points concerning the Palestine problem, I still Kiev, and at keep my feelings about Zionism, but I have been wrong in my nine made a prejudice against Judaism as a religion. It is a religion that I Kottler concert tour of should respect as much as I respect Christianity and the rest of major cities in the Ukraine. He the religions of the world." What a difference: the young Israeli pleads for peace, but ' continued his studies in Paris the Arab antagonist keeps feeding her audience ideas of hatred and Vienna under Felix Wein- gartner and Emil Von Sauer,' and confusion! Note the comfort acquired by the Arab youth from the en- the latter one of the famous couragement Israel's antagonists are receiving from the anti- i Liszt pupils. , . Kottler has concertized exten- Israel Council for Judaism. And note also the subtle way in which Zionism is made the scapegoat in a game of accusation I sively in this country and abroad against Israel. It is a cunning way of misleading people into and has appeared as soloist with believing that there are culprits—Zionists—in the Israel state- . the Detroit Symphony on four building task, ignoring the truth that a homeless people, fully occasions. As music director of supported by world Jewry (remember: the Council for Judaism radio station WWJ, and through represents less than a tenth of one per cent of the Jewish people), his, recitals and Sunday broad7 has the blessings of all its kinsmen and of tens of millions of casts with the Chamber Music devout Christians irr their quest for freedom and of the right to Ensemble, Kottler has won wide live as human . beings in a state where they can -be masters of acclaim from music lovers their own destiny. But these things have to be explained anew throughout this area. every time another propagandist—old or young—arrives from the Tickets are available at Grin- Middle East. All of which does not make Israel's job too easy. nell's and :at the : Center offices. Inconsistency of Politicians Gambling with Peoples' Destinies * 2 DETROIT - " JEWISH NEWS By Philip Slomovitz Jewish . News Articles Placed by R,abaut in Congressional Record t' 1 Community Religious Schools Plan Congressman Louis C. Ra- baut of Detroit on April 1 inserted in the Congressional Record two lengthy articles from the Detroit Jewish News. With a personal comment on the importance of his pro- posal to insert the words "Under God" in the Pledge to the Flag, Rep. Rabaut in- cluded in his Extension of Remarks in the Record the Jewish News editor's Com- mentary on the question, from the issue of March 5, 1954, and .the article which included his letter of com- ment, from the issue of March 26. Cantor Sonenklar Honored By Zionist Organization At the annual, Hebrew music program at the Zionist .House, Wednesday, the Zionist Organi- zation of De- troit presented the guest solo- ist, Cantor Ja- cob H. Sonen- klar, with an en- g r a v.ed resolu- tion honoring him for his services to the Detroit District and the Michi- gan Zionist Re- Sonenklar gion. A portion of the program was devoted to good wishes of fare- well to Mr, and Mrs. A. C. Lap- pin on the eve of their departure for Israel and Europe. A gift was presented to .Mr: Lappin in re- cognition of his distinguished services to the Zionist Organi- zation, Boris Smolar's "Between You and Me" column on Page 28 in tlpis issue. ' " ' Model Sedorim for Students This Week As the community began prep- arations this week for the ob- servance of the Passover holi- days, the Jewish Community Council announced that it has available 'a special holiday kit, including program suggestions, games, puzzles, songs and other related ideas. The kit, available to youth and adult organization planning programs for Passover, is free upon request to Council, 803 Washington Blvd. Bldg., Detroit 6, Mich., according to Louis La- Med, chairman of the cultural commission. Meanwhile, throughout the city, especially in the religious schools, plans are being made for Passover programs in the coming week. A schedule is list- ed below: Beth El Religious School Each class will conduct its own model seder at regular classroom sessions. Confirma, tion department sedorim begin at 9:45 a.m., Saturday, with pri•-• mary and intermediate depart- ments holding their programs at 11:15 a.m., Sunday. Rabbi Minard Klein will con- duct the seder with the high school on Sunday, and also lead a Passover workshop for parents. Adas Shalom School The school's children's theater will offer a•model seder on Sun- day, culminating the Passover activities. For the past few weeks, children have become acquainted with the holiday's signifiCance, rituals and symbolS. Beth Abraham, School Students will report to class as usual at 10 a.m., Sunday, fol.-. lowing; which a model seder will be offered for parents and guests at 10:45 a.m. Rabbi Israel. I. Halpern will participate in the Orvice,.,an4 refreshments served by the educational board. Cong. Bnai Moshe Siyurn b'Chorim services will be held at 7:15 a.m., Thursday as the traditional prelude to the Passover ritual. ' The religious school will di- vide its 425 students into eight rooms where sedorm will be held.- Teachers will explain the symbolism, and holiday songs will be sung. In charge are Abe Gornbein, Joe Edelman, Mrs. Florence Zacks, Geraldine Ber- shas and Meyer Mathis. Cong Ahavas Achim Sunday school children will congregate at 10 a.m., this Sun- day when students of the upper grades conduct a model seder for the entire school. Communi- ty singing will f 011ow, announces Alex Roberg, principal. The con- gregation's Sisterhood will • serve refreshments. This will be the last session of the school until. May 2. Cong. .Beth Shalom A model seder for youngsters of the religious school (formerly known as the Oak Park Syna- gogue) will be held at 11 a.m., Sunday, in the Andrew Jackson School. Rabbi Herbert S. Eskin will lead the ritual. In charge of arrangements for the program are Mrs. Albert Ko- mer, committee of mothers chairman, assisted by Mesdames Paul Baker, Jerome Baseman, Leo Brodsky, David Dickman, Harris Lloyd, Louis Perlove, Nor- man Rubin, Philip Smith and Paul Steiner. Parents are in- vited to observe the ceremony. _United •Jewish.Folk Schools Two,. sedorim are planned for students. on Thursday. Grade school will hold their program at 4:30 p.m., preceded by the kindergarten celebration at 2:30 p.m. Parents of children are be welcome`' to: pAtfp4,, .