THE JEWISH NEWS Incorporating The Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with issue of July 20, 1951 Member American Association of English--Jewish Newspapers, Michigan Press Association. National Editorial Association. Published every Friday by The Jewish • News Publishing Co.. 17100 West Seven Mile Road, Detroit, Mich. 48235. VE 8-9364. Subscription g7 a year. Foreign $8. Second Class Postage Paid at Detroit, Michigan PHILIP SLOMOVITZ Editor and Publisher CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ SIDNEY SHMARAK Business Manager Advertising Manager CHARLOTTE DUBIN City Editor Sabbath Scriptural Selections This Sabbath, the 25th—day of Heshvan, 5729, the following scriptural selections will be read in our synagogues: Pentateuchal portion, Gen. 23:1-25:18. Prophetical portion, I Kings 1:1-31. Tora Readings for Rosh Hodesh Kislev, Thursday and Friday, Num. 28:1-15 Candle lighting, Friday, Nov. 15, 4:52 p.m. VOL. LIV. No. 9 Page Four November 15, 1968 American Policy in the Middle East In their eagerness to gain votes for their candidates, politicians resorted to appeals based on claims that the men they supported were the great friends of Israel, that they and they alone would have assured the speedy release of Phantom jets to Israel, etc., etc. In our acclaim for one candidate for the Presidency, our appeal was based strictly on the basic internal needs because of our deep conviction that all of the candidates who represented the three contending parties fa- vored aid for Israel; and because of our con- viction that if there are to be other obstruc- tions they will come from an antagonistic State Department that will exert its influ- ence upon whoever was to assume adminis- trative control of our government. An election period was not the time to utilize the Middle East crisis for controver- sial debates. Fortunately, except for reitera- tion of pledges by all parties, debate on the issue was averted. This confirms our view that little stock was to be placed in campaign pledges, since emphasis is required only on the principle involved. And the principle is acknowledged: that there is an existing American-Israel friendship that must not be disrupted; and that there is a threat to an entire people—the Arab desire to extermi- nate Israel in Hitler fashion—that must be fought at all costs. It is on the basis of the latter that all fair-minded Americans, Christians as well as Jews, now must reassert their right to de- mand assistance in Israel's defense, and that means fulfillment of the pledge to provide Israel with Phantom jets. From this course, of pleading in Israel's defense, we must never swerve. Russia's Nefarious Role in the Middle East A "cease fire" is normally • • : to end warfare as an approach r peace. Thi • not the case in the Mid. e East. Instead of adhering to United ations regulations, Egypt has introduced a n term: "preventive defense." In a series of infiltrations into Israel, Nasser's forces, laboring under the impact of new terminology, have instigated renewed warfare which has resulted in many deaths, in retaliatory action by Israel, the de- struction of Egyptian oilfields and the crea- tion of a new crisis in the international or- ganization. Instead of contributing to peace, Egypt has created handicaps for the peace mission to which the UN had assigned Dr. Gunnar Jarring. While discussions were believed to have led to possible negotiations for peace- ful agreements, especially after Israel's Foreign Minister Abba Eban had outlined a nine-point program, for amity, all efforts towards good will have been undermined and the UAR Armed Forces General Com- mand has made it known that "from now on, the initiative will be Arab"—in other words, there will be no end to conflicts, since the UAR forces also asserted in a statement issued on Sept. 8 that henceforth "Eyptian forces will launch offensive action." This is how the term "preventive defense" is be- ing defined. That hopes for peace should thus have been destroyed is calamitous in international relations and in the Israeli-Arab endless state of war. When the Egyptian forces went across the Suez to attack an Israeli guard, it became evident that trouble was brewing anew, and there was cause for seri- ous concern over the possibility of another war developing so soon after Israel's success in the third conflict that has become known as the Six-Day War. Since there is general agreement that Israel today can withstand attacks, it began to appear as if Nasser was pursuing the tactics of the Russian Czars prior to the elimination of the Czarist regime. Under the Czars, it was common for the Russian imperial gov- ernment to instigate a series of pogroms. It was sort of a diversion, intended to divert the Russian people's attention from their hardships under Czarism and to create a scapegoat upon whom a suffering but ignor- ant people was venting hatred. Is it possible that Nasser, against whom his general often plotted, needed a spurt of heroism to con- vince his people that he was not yet com- pletely licked in his battles with Israel? Per- haps what has happened, this "preventive defense," is a kind of diversion which will be temporary in the embattled Middle East. But there is a more serious factor in the trying situation—the role of the Soviet Union. Had it not been for Russia's acquisition of new naval power in the Mediterranean, per- haps as a provocation to the United States or as an intention to pursue an age old Rus- siori hope for control of the Middle East, there would have been peace in that area long ago. But Russia instigates trouble, arms the defeated, giving them courage to believe that the victor in the Six-Day War must re- main an object for annihilation. The new American administration that will assume governmental leadership in this country will have the same problems that faced the Johnson administration. It is the East-West struggle that is more threaten- ing in the Middle East than it is in the Far East. The "hot line" used by President Johnson in June of 1967 may be resorted to time and time again, and those who hope and pray for peace must hope that the firmness of LBJ will be in evidence in our nation's capital both for peace and for the prevention of another war. This becomes an obliga- tion not only in the best interests of Ameri- can international relations but more especial- ly that of peace for the entire world. - Assassins Who Gain Hero's Status More than five months ago, an assassin ing others with poisoned minds who are struck down a popular Presidential candi- motivated by hatreds to seek what appears date. The murderer not only continues to to be an assurance of possible escape from gain delays in court action, but he is dis- justice. cussed as an "alleged" assailant even though In England, a case like that of the mur- he was caught in the act of killing, he is derer of. Senator Robert Kennedy would have spoken of as a subject to be dealt with bi- come up for trial within weeks and would ographically, and he is gaining the status of have been disposed of promptly. But in this a hero. Apparently there are even sources country there are delays, dilly-dallying, plat- of fund-raising for him. forms are provided for self-glorification and Is it any wonder that other would-be to spread libels against a nation that is en- assassins are collecting arms with an aim at dangered by war threats. striking down public figures? What we are experiencing is encourage. The plot to kill our President-elect may ment to crime rather than speedy rulings be the result of a system that permits mur- that should serve as warnings that murders will not be tolerated. derers to gain notoriety, thereby encourag - Third 'Pictorial History of Israel' Emphasizes Link With Diaspora To the vast amount of literature about Israel now are added sev- eral new books of considerable merit. From Thomas Yoseloff publishing house comes an impressive large book, "Pictorial History of Israel," by Jacob A. Rubin and Meyer Barkai, both eminently qualified to deal with a subject they have dealt with in two previous editions, devoting this third printing, with many addenda, to Israel's 20th anniversary. Hundreds of photographs, many up-to-date in covering develop- ments since the Six-Day War, complement the informative text. The authors commence from the very beginning of Jewish history, opening their text with the quotation from Genesis 17:8: "And I will give to thee and to thy seed after thee the land of my abode, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession." From this point on, Jewish links with the Land of Israel, the his- tory of the people of Israel through the ages, the events that led to Israel's rebirth as a state, are represented here in pictures and ac- companying stories. The Zionist story starts with Moses Hess and Leon Pinker, with the role of Sir Moses Montefiore, until the appearance of Theodor Herzl and the organizational efforts in the World Zionist Congress, the first having taken place in 1897 in Basel. The first Jewish settlers in Palestine are depicted, and the reader gets an idea of the beginnings of Zionist endeavors. The value of this work lies in the historical record, in the review of Israel's accomplishments, and also in the re-introduction of the pioneers in Zionism as well as among the state-builders. In the reviewing of past history, the reader gets the facts about the halutzim and also about the role of the British and the obstacles that were placed in the path of the early pioneers; about Arab as well as British intransigence. Providing details of Israel's rebirth, the authors tell about the many contributions towards the state's cultural, scientific and eco- nomic progress. United Jewish Appeal activities, the labors in behalf of the universities and research institutes, the Zionist Or- ganization of America's role in setting up the important ZOA House in Tel Aviv, Hadassah's tasks, labor's share in the country's up- building--all are reviewed in considerable detail. While the military details and the triumphs in three wars are given a full account, it is the creative effort to integrate Orientals with Occidentals and the productive efforts of ' the settlers in Israel from many lands that receives emphasis. Thus, the achievements at the Haifa Technion, the Welzmann Institute, Hebrew University, Bar-Ilan University and the newly- emerging other schools of higher learning are recorded. A chapter on "Culture and Sports" iS an addendum to creative efforts in art, the film industry, athletics, the theater and related Agricultural training institutes, Kfar Silver, ORT schools, institu- tions sponsored by various movements are given due credit for their contributions towards Israel's upbuilding. The United Nations' role is not overlooked, and the authors pay due attention to the position of the Arabs. Realistically, Rubin and B Ita s rk N ae iiga hn ba olr y s ze existing situations in a chapter entitled "Israel and • Accompanying maps enable the reader to follow events properly. Attention is given to Israel's coins and stamps. In a concluding chapter about Israel's future, the Iwo authors speak about the great scientific development of Israel which "will add new dimensions to the position of Israeli Jews among the Jews of the world." They emphasize the "mutual relationship between Israel and the Jews in the countries of the Diaspora" and express hope in "the Jewish spiritual and traditional values which Israel hopes to develop and strengthen in the second decade of its existence, to become the spiritual center of all Jewish communities throughout the world."