Purely Commentary

Politics Can Be an Honorable Game

Politics can be a noble game—if played honorably.
Politicians can become statesmen—if they treat their
calling with dignity and if they are wise enough to get
good advisers. •
Too often, regrettably, the game is played only for
the gain of voters, and since there are always people of
conflicting views among • the electorate one is• never
certain that justice will prevail.
Let's take, as typical examples, the current political
campaign. There are many issues involved. There are
major domestic problems involving civil rights, housing,
schooling. taxes.
There are the challenges emerging from overseas
problems which must be handled with great care.
There are subjects that should be aired with caution,
with dignity, with deep concern over our nation's difficult
psoition both at home and abroad.
The Republican candidates have made much of other
issues. and it would be well to take a hurried glance at
some of them.
Take, as an example of puzzlement, Senator Barry
Goldwater's attack on the U. S. Supreme Court. Tackling.
as the Arizonian did, the prayers-in-the-schools issue. an
evangelical note was sounded: the idea of the high .court
seeking to prevent children from uttering prayers! The
Senator is quite properly being asked, is he prepared to
force prayers on those who would not pray, or the type
of prayer that is not acceptable to those who have their
preferences and whose rights are protected in our Bill
of Rights?
Well, the Republican candidate for the Presidency
apparently seeks to put an end to the Supreme Court's
liberalism. The country already is divided on the Church-
State issue, but most churchmen have gone along with
the high court and we doubt whether the injection of this
'issue into the current campaign will matter too much.
Insofar as we are concerned, it does not evince wisdom
in handling our country's public affairs.
There is another issue: that involving immigration.
For a number of years, our Presidents; dating back to
Harry S. Truman, had urged Congress to change the exist-
ing laws and to remove from our statutes the abhorrent
restrictions that are discriminatory and that have a laugh-
ing stock of American ideas abroad. The Democratic
platform calls for change. the Republican candidates
insist on adherence to the most negative aspects of the
law. The Republican Vice Presidential candidate has
especially gone all out in defense of the dastardly McCar-
ran-Walter Act.
Last week Vice Presidential candidate William Miller
condemned Russia for its anti-Semitic acts. It is so easy
to go along with a cry against anti-Semitism when it is
directed at the Kremlin! It would have been much better
if Mr. Miller had spoken in line with what has indeed
been a Republican principle. for the liberal idea of access
to American freedom by those who seek haven in this
country.
The Republicans who have become the champions of
Anti-immigration laws would do well to read a poem that
was written by the author of our national anthem, "The
Star • Spangled Banner," Francis Scott Key..In 1833. nearly
20 years after he had written the anthem that has become
our national hymn, Francis Scott Key wrote a poem in
which he asserted:

"Fair land of the free! thou wast made to be ever
A refuge and home for the poOr and oppressed,
And thy welcome and blessing denied shall be never
To the wanderer who flees to thy bosom for rest."

This is the traditional American approach in handling
the needs of the downtrodden. but one wouldn't know
it from the propaganda that comes from the opponents
of freer immigration policies!
There is another very important matter that has
special relevance for Jews. It relates to American-Israeli
cooperation and friendship. The responsible leaders of
both political parties have been most scrupulous in their
handling of this issue. We had hoped that it would always
remain a bi-partisan—indeed, a non-partisan—issue.
But the Republican State Central Committee of
Michigan now counts in its midst some noteworthy blun-
derers. The state's Republicans have honored us by fail-
ing to include Jewish groups in their Nationalities Divi-
sion—for a very good reason: because Jews are a reli-
gious and not a 'nationality group. But the Nationalities
Division saw fit to adopt resolutions that could easily be
interpreted as anti-Jewish because of our interest in
Israel's security. It is an American interest. Leaders of
both our political parties constantly affirm that they are
•pledged to assure , Israel's security against attack. Yet,
resolutions adopted by the Republican Nationalities Divi-
sion sounded an anti-Israel note. The water development
.Issue was tackled as if' it were a crime—and the "crime"
was an emergence of a blessing from our Government
in support of Israel's practical and unselfish desire to
improve her own status and that of her neighbors by
Utilizing available water supplies for irrigation purposes.
The Arabs rejected the American plan. and they have
themselves utilized the available water to an even larger"'
degree than has Israel. Yet, an American group of know-
nothings went along with propagandists to adopt state-
ments that are aimed at undermining the security of a
nation that is on friendliest terms with the United States!
This is what we mean by politicians who can become
statesmen when they show a bit of wisdom, when they
'enroll informed and unselfish advisers to guide them.
In matters involving immigration, the Church - State
separation issue and Israel, Republicans certainly have not
had the wisest guidance.
All of us pray that this country should remain a two-
party nation. Let us hope that the disrupting tactics will
not militate against the right to differ while we also"
exercise soundest judgments in the protection of America's

Diatribes and Major Issues Confronting
Voters in Current Venom-Infected
Political Campaign for Presidency

basic ideals. Friendship for Israel does not denote pro-
Israelism as opposed to anti-Arabism. On the contrary,
it calls for joint effort to improve the lot of both ele-
ments. The resolutions of the Michigan Republican Na-
tionalities Division certainly did not lead in that direc-
tion, and its director's assertion that if Jews had been
represented in the division they would have had an oppor-
tunity to express their views is a lot of hogwash, and the
Republicans know it. There are several members of Con-
gress from Michigan who have been among the Republican
proponents of a sane policy in the Middle East. Instead of
banking on anti-Israel propagandists, these are the men
who should have been called in. Governor Romney is well
informed on Israel. There are men of stature in Repub-
licanism in Michigan who should have been contacted.
That's the good sense- we urge upon those who have
blundered.

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Then There Is the Matter involving Israel

The Democratic Party platform has what has been
interpreted as a fairly satisfactory plank on the Midclle
East, aiming at fair treatment for all concerned. What a
pity that the Republicans could not have foreseen that
the world's cauldron also included a &powder keg known
as the Middle East and that a duty devolves upon all
good politicians not to ignore major issues.
The Middle East problem is not an issue affecting
Israel alone or of interest only to Jews. It is a matter that
involves international relations and calls for due con-
sideration by all the nations of the world who aspire to
peace. We won't attain that peace if we ignore the issues.
Senator Hubert H. Humphrey of Minnesota, the
Democratic candidate for Vice President, might have been
charged with playing politics had he utilized an article
by this Commentator that was published in 1957 during
the current political campaign. But his interest in the
Middle East situation is well known. and since Israel
once again is in the limelight (the Arab states always
utilize the period of a Presidential political campaign
in this country for such a purpose), the material he made
use of retains its interest to this day.
In the Congressional Record of Aug. 9, 1957, Senator
Humphrey inserted in the Congressional Record the fol-
lowing article by your Commentator which appeared under
the heading "Israel and Her Neighbors—Contrasting Views
of Eminent Christian Leaders":
Mr. HUMPHREY. Mr. President. in the July 12 issue
of the Detroit Jewish News there appeared an article by
Philip Slamovitz entitled "Israel and Her Neighbors—
Contrasting Views of Eminent Christian Leaders."
I ask unanimous consent that the text of this article
be printed in the Appendix of the RECORD.
There being no objection. the article was ordered to
be printed in the RECORD, as follows:
ISRAEL AND HER NEIGHBORS—CONTRASTING
VIEWS OF EMINENT CHRISTIAN LEADERS
(By Philip Slomovitz)
While the major Middle Eastern puzzle today revolves
around the rumors about secret peace negotiations, the
avalanche of propaganda, with its attendant anti-lsraelism,
continues.
Arab leaders divided among themselves, split asunder
by desires for personal aggrandizenients which cause them
to plot for territorial control over their neighbors, put on
a show of unity by mouthing one bit of evidence as proof
of unity: their common hatred of Israel.
Nevertheless, there are signs of better understanding
of the problem. Basil L. Walters, the executive editor of
the Knight news-papers, was deeply impressed by Arab
hospitality. Fortunately. the American sense of fair play
also has led him to Israel. where he has learned something
about modernity plus hospitality plus ingenuity plus deter-
mination to live. Senator HUBERT H. HUMPHREY also
met with both Arabs and Jews, and he is today a stanch
believer in the possibility of peace, the need for better
understanding, the necessity to eliminate intrigue from
Middle Eastern affairs. Dr. Everett R. Clinchy, the head
of the National Conference of Christians and Jews and
president of the World Brotherhood, is back from the
Middle East with an abhorrence for extremism and praise
for Israel.
Let us first take up the Clinchy argument. In a mes-
sage to his co-workers from Rome, Dr. Clinchy pointed out
that "the word 'Bible' came from the Greek word 'biblos,'
derived from the name papyrus in Greece," He proceeded
to say that in olden days "the standard of live and let live
was disregarded. The morality of live and help other
cultures to live was laughed at. Successive civilizations
insisted on uniformity — cultural monism." Basically, he
added, the struggle in the Middle East now is "between
leaders 'possessed' by an obsession with cultural monism,
and the merging possibility of cultural pluralism in that
region."
Then comes his evaluation of Nasser's talk of driving
the Israelis into the sea. and he likens it to the totalitarian
philosophies of all times. Reporting that "in Beirut, Chris-
tians of many cultures, Jews, and Moslems of Lebanon
have agreed to work for World Brotherhood." Dr. Clinchy
states: "To be sure, Israel is a word the rest of the Middle
East does not want to recognize but that can be overcame,
if work is done now for all cultures."
In "just a paragraph about Israel," Dr. Clinchy has
this to say in his message:
"I had not seen this area since 1928. Israel is an
amazing expression of the human spirit of which we may
all be proud. By combining science, technology, money,
education, and spirit with will power, Israel is redeeming
a land and 2 million human beings. Israel is proving some-
thing which all of Asia and Africa wants to believe: that
individuals who have lived in ancient ways can skip cen-
turies and be made into modern carpenters, plumbers,

2—Friday, October 2, 1964 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

By Philip
Slomovitz

electricians, scientific farmers, engineers, musicians, teach-
ers, and artists. Israel is proving that water can be piped
hundreds of miles from its source to make deserts blossom,
barren hills grow trees, machines free humans from drud-
gery. Its spirit can move youths to dance and sing in the
streets. It is regrettable that circumstances force Israel
to feel that she must put so much. offer efforts into de-
fense. But the total accomplishment good, and Israel's
culture. like Rodgers and Hammerstein's June bloisoms,
"is busting out all over." This can happen in Jordan,
Egypt, Syria, Iran, and Iraq. Kricrwhow, money and
machines are available. All it takes in addition is real
brotherhood. In Israel there is no' corruption in govern-
ment; the distance between the poor and rich is right-
eously reasonable, kept so by honest taxation. and the
peoples are taught a moral faith. Israel's example speaks
to Asia, "If you will work and pay this price you can live
well too.' "
This is most interesting. Dr. Clinchy has no axes to
grind. He deals with all faiths in his great movement for
good will, in this country through the National Conference
of Christians and Jews and on the international front
through World Brotherhood. But we were especially
intrigued by what Senator HUMPHREY. one of the most
distinguised American leaders, had to say about his visit
to the Middle East.
Senator HUMPHREY spoke of the importance of war:
"There is a shocking contrast between irrigated land and
unirrigated. When one sees the desolate Negev, the great
southern desert of Israel, and learns that Israel expects
100,000 immigrants this year, he better understands too why
the Israelis are so insistent on irrigation of the Negev. The
fact is that water is at least as important as oil in the
Middle East, if not more so. The Nile, Jordan and the
Tigris-Euphrates are all international rivers, and if maxi-
mum use is to be made of their waters it must be done
under some kind of international arrangement."
Then he described his view of the vitality of Israel:
"The new Israeli state is a striking contrast to the
ruins of older civilizations one sees on every side. It is a
young, vigorous nation — strongly and confidently led by
men and women of the caliber of David Ben-Gurion and
Mrs. Golda Meir. It is a working democracy, with active
political participation. Israel is a good friend of the United
States; she has used to the utmost advantage every bit of
economic aid we have given her. She is a showcase of what
can be done in this dry. poverty-stricken area of the world
when there is a will, when there is good organization."
The real contrast was drawn by Senator HUMPHREY
a bit later. The Minnesota Senator, during his stay abroad
and upon his return. emphasized Egypt's need for help from
this country. He advocated assistance to the Egyptians. Yet
he was compelled, after an interval between his visit in
Egypt and his return to this country, to make distinctions
that merely proved the existence of cancerous enmities in
the Middle East which must be traced to the lack of vision
and the bias of Gamal Abdel Nasser.
Senator HUMPHREY met with David Ben-Gurion as
well as with Nasser. He "tried to give President Nasser
the benefit of every doubt, to thoroughly test his good
faith"; and he pressed Ben-Gurion more than an acIcnoto-
/edged friend would expect. Here are his impressions:
"President Nasser is an ardent nationalist who does
symbolize revolt of the Arab people against colonialism.
While wanting to be the strong man — the leader of Pan
Arabisin — his basic insecurity is revealed by his suspicion,
prejudice, and distrust.
"With the candor of American fairness — not naive
innocence — I put President Nasser's good faith to person-
al test; and found it lacking. Since our discussions, Radio
Cairo and the Egyptian press, both under his direct control,
have distorted and deliberately misrepresented my views
expressed during my stay in Cairo. This distresses me be-
cause if Nasser wants a more sympathetic ear in America,
the first thing he'd better learn is that we like people who
deal on top of the table.
"President Nasser leaves you with an impression of
stubbornness born. partially out of trying to cope with huge
tasks beyond his own experience or understanding. A stub-
bornness that could lead to dangerous desperation.
"Prime Minister Ben-Gurian leaves you with an impres-
sion of thoughtful determination to overcome any obstacles,
of confidence in the justice of his cause and the ability of
his people to accept any sacrifice in order to achieve
their common objectives of a permanent, stable homeland
for the Jewish people.
"Nasser is overly sensitive and critical about what he
terms domination by the western big powers.
"I heard no complaints from Ben-Gurion.
"Yet I heard a great deal of it from Nasser — corns
plaints against the United States, despite the fact that he
had been saved by the United States intervention in the
United Nations. Nasser was definitely unhappy with the
United States. He was pessimistic about our future
relations.
"Ben-Gurion had his victory literally taken away from
him, yet he did not complain. He was much more objective
and philosophical in his attitude.
"When it comes to their educational backgrounds and
personal qualifications for sound leadership, there is little
comparison.
"Nasser is a military product, with little or no expos-
ure to western culture or ideals, little real understanding
of the United States, and handicapped both by lack of travel
and knowledge of the world in which he has become such
a force.
"By contrast, Ben-Gurion has all the qualifications of
a great leader. He is a student of history — a scholar in
his own right. He speaks nine different languages; he is
a student of law, a talented orator, and skilled in the dem-
ocratic processes of parliamentary government. With it all
he has a greater secret --- humility. Ben-Gurion really
typifies his country: He is rugged, courageous, imaginative.
He seems to combine some of the qualities and character-

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