Purely Commentary
The Scranton Mission: Puzzling Diplomacy
Richard M. Nixon must be given every benefit — of hope as
well as doubt, of anticipation as well as speculation. Yet, the mis-
sion of former Pennsylvania Governor William W. Scranton represents
a puzzle as well as a mystery.
Every aspect of the Middle East situation has been explored, and
the retiring administration knows what is happening in every part
of that war-torn area. Besides, the State Department's policies un-
doubtedly will remain practically unchanged, and the career men in
Washington know that Israel pleads for peace on the basis of negotia-
tions, in the hope of establishing neighborliness that can only exist
between Arabs and Jews when they talk to each other. The diplomats
in our nation's capital also know that the Arabs have said no peace,
no negotiations, no recognition of Israel. Yet, there is a continuation
of explorations. Which is a normal approach. But it is muddied by
the puzzling situation created by conflicting statements. Scranton
said things that seem to negate what President -elect Nixon has been
saying. During his Middle East tour, Scranton said something about
averting favoritism, but Nixon had spoken about strengthening Is-
rael so that the Arabs should not overwhelm their small neighbor.
Here are the comparative statements by Scranton and Nixon:
*
RICHARD M. NIXON IN 7968
PRE-ELECTION STATEMENT ON
SEPT. 8.
STATEMENT BY FORMER GOV-
ERNOR WILLIAM W. SCRANTON
IN TEL AVIV, DEC. 9, 1968.
Four fundamental facts of life
are evident in the Middle East
today.
First, the danger of war in-
creases in direct ratio to the con-
fidence of certain Arab leaders
that they could win that war.
Second, the Soviet Union has
the definite aggressive goal of
extending its sphere of influence
to include the Middle East.
Third, the United States has
a firm and unwavering commit-
ment to the national existence of
Israel, repeated by four Presi-
dents. And, after Inauguration
Day next year, it will be repeat-
ed by another President.
Fourth, the foundations for a
permanent peace will be laid
when hunger and disease and
human misery have begun to dis-
appear from the Arab world,
and the breeding ground of bit-
terness and envy is removed.
America must look hard at
those facts of life to determine
how we can change the collision
course of the nations of the
Middle East, and avert a con-
frontation of the major powers.
The danger of war increases in
direct ratio to the confidence of
certain Arab leaders that they
could win that war.
Since the Six-Day War, the
Soviet Union has systematically
rebuilt the armed forces of the
UAR. Their goal was not to re-
store a balance of power; their
goal was to further Soviet am-
bitions.
To a disturbing extent, they
have introduced new and more
sophisticated weapons. Their
Middle Eastern clients are grow-
"I think it is important for the
United States to take into con-
sideration the feelings of all per-
sons and all countries in the
Middle East and not necessarily
espouse one nation over some
other."
ing more confident that they
could win a war of revenge and
drive Israel into the sea.
Therefore, the free world must
act to maintain a balance of
power to remove the confidence
of would-be aggressors. Certain-
ly a balance of power is a short-
term solution; but when survival
is at stake, short-term solutions
are necessary.
Israel must possess sufficient
military power to deter an attack.
As long as the threat of Arab
attack remains direct and im-
minent, sufficient power means
the balance must be tipped in
Israel's favor. An exact balance
of power, which in any case is
purely theoretical and not realis-
tic, would run the risk that po-
tential aggressors might miscal-
culate and would offer them too
much of a temptation.
For that reason — to provide
Israel a valid self-defense — I
support a policy that would give
Israel a technological military
margin to more than offset her
hostile neighbors' numerical su-
periority. If maintaining that
margin should require that the
U.S. supply Israel with superson-
ic Phantom F-4 jets—we should
supply those Phantom jets.
Cause for Concern: New
Administration's Confli c-
ting Attitudes of Mid East
By Philip
WOMOVitZ
Weekly Quiz
By RABBI SAMUEL J. FOX
(Copyright 1968. JTA Inc.)
the President-elect from that remark. There will be lots of confusing
talk. Israel remains pragmatic: in favor of an all-around friendship,
as long as Israel is not sacrificed. And there are too many who would
send Israel to her doom.
Giving Scranton the benefit of all doubts, we must continue to
differ with him on many scores. For instance, when he says that the
finest accomplishment of this country was in establishing the Amer-
ican University in Beirut, which, he claims, has helped check dis-
orders, we are compelled to say to Mr. Nixon's emissary to the Middle
East: Most of our troubles stem from the American universities in
Beirut and in Cairo. It is there that professors who hate Israel and
all Jews have gotten their education. Just as Scranton has indicated
that the Arab youth is intransigent, so must we call his attention
to the basic fact that they had gotten that training from the Amer-
ican professors in Beirut who have spread their venom not only in
the Middle East but also in all the universities in the United States
which have become infested with their hatred of Israel.
The Middle East is a boiling cauldron, and it is unnecessary to
add to the fuel that keeps the fires of hatred burning. If the U.S.
is a traditional friend of the Arabs as much as of Israel, let it be
stated, else there will be distortion of facts — distortion that can lead
only to trouble.
Moshe Dayan was right when he said: we want friendship for
Egypt and all the Arabs, but not at Israel's expense. Let that be the
guideline — and that's our demand as American citizens who object
to any move that might in the slightest harm Israel's security.
*
*
The Hate - Code of Ignorant Analysts
Meanwhile, Jews, Zionists, Israelis—Judaism, Israel, Zionism—are
subjected to such harsh attacks based on misrepresentations, lies,
misquotations, distortions, that our community is constantly placed
on the defensive. A series of prejudice-inciting articles in Wall Street
Journal, speeches by propagandists in universities, the injection of
the venom of anti-Israelism in Near Eastern departments in colleges,
letters in our daily newspapers — all combine to aggravate an al-
ready poisoned atmosphere.
One letter in a local daily newspaper was especially disturbing.
Misleading as to facts, drawing again upon the tragic Deir Yassin
occurrence, the correspondent restored to so much confusion that his
letter was like a Code of Hate. If he is an Irishman (so his name
sounded), he forgot the resemblance of Zionism to the Sinn Fein move-
ment, both of which sought justice for oppressed peoples. But whoever
he is, he could have searched for facts—to indicate that Deir Yassin
was an exception to an established rule of decency and honor in
Israel. It and another sad occurrence — at Kfar Kassem — were
marks of shame for Israelis because they were murderous acts. And
Israelis — and Israel officially — and Jews everywhere — condemned .
them. But, did the Arabs ever apologize for the mass murders of the
doctors and nurses in Jerusalem two weeks after Deir Yassin, for
the wholesale murder in Hebron, for the terrorist acts against civilians
during the 40 or more years of peaceful Jewish settlement in their
ancient homeland, in the course of which Arabs were willing to be
enriched with the high prices they commanded for the lands they
turned into deserts and swamps?
While pleading for peace, it is not easy to tackle such aggravating
abuses. But they have to be handled firmly. There is no reason why
notoriety given by a daily newspaper to a hate-inspired and prejudice-
inspiring letter should be ignored. We ignore so many attacks so often!
*
*
*
The Mystery of Arnold Zweig
Why is every prayer session
concluded with the "Aleinn"
prayer?
The "Aleinu," said to have been
composed by the famous Rav in
Babylonia (Third Century) and
traditionally traced by some to
the days of Joshua in its meaning,
originally served as the introduc-
tion to the "Malhiyot" prayers.
These prayers, found in the High
Holiday liturgy, describe the abso-
lute kingship of the Almighty.
Most scholars believe that it was
some time in the course of the
middle ages that this prayer be-
gan to be used as the concluding
prayer in daily prayer sessions.
The first source for this practice
seems to be the book "Rokeah"
composed by Rabbi Elazer of
Worms in the 12th Century. Some
believe that it was placed in this
position because of the various
waves of persecution that overtook
the Jewish people, especially at
the time of the crusades. Some-
how, such times called for a strong
re-affirmation of the faith on the
part of the suffering populace.
Apparently this was accomplished
by the recitation of this Aleinu
prayer at the conclusion of the
service.
* * *
What is the origin of the "Av
ha-Rahamim" prayer which is
recited every Saturday morning?
It is generally held that this
prayer was first recited during the
days of the crusades when many
martyrs fell at the hands of the
crusaders through many cities in
Europe. The communities of those
areas were deeply impressed and
shaken by the innocent blood that
was spilled and thus composed this
prayer to the memory of those
countless martyrs and as a peti-
tion to the Almighty to avenge this
bloodshed in the spirit of justice.
The prayer book thus becomes
not only a book of petitions but a
source of eternal history picturing
the experiences of the chosen
people. The cry and anguish of the
millions of martyrs are thus en-
shrined forever in the hearts and
on the lips of every worshiper
whose prayers are indeed never
complete without remembering
these tragic eras. Also, of course,
these tearful episodes are con-
sidered justification for our pleas
to the Almighty to grant us the
things we seek to have for our
survival. If we are not worthy
enough, indeed, the blood of our
ancestors should be considered
before judging us too harshly.
*
*
There is something contradictory in the two declarations. But
that's not the cause for concern. The matter that irritates is that there
is talk of favoritism that gives the impression that the Israelis have
been the favored, when that's farthest from the truth. The impression
can be gained from what Scranton said that Israel seeks favoritism,
and that's even farther from the truth.
All Israel wants and the most the Israelis' Jewish kinsmen crave
for, is security for Israel. The Israelis did not win sovereignty with
the aid of anyone's weapons. They battled for their own rights and
made it known that they do not want American forces in their area.
All they ask for is the means with which to uphold their liberties.
Is there anything wrong with that? Is that asking for favoritism?
Yet there is confusion, and Scranton has not added to clarity —
just as his very mission is sort of a puzzle. If it should turn out to be
a replica of the (in)famous Franklin D. Roosevelt statement in 1945
that he had learned more from Ibn Saud in five minutes than he did
in all the previous years, about the Arab-Israel struggle, then we are
due for trouble, conflict, suspicions and heaven knows what else in
the months ahead.
Arnold Zweig, who died in East Berlin, Nov. 26, at the age of 81.
was, in a sense, a mystery to Jewry in the last 20 years of his life. He
was famous for his "Sergeant Grischa" and many other novels. He had
lived in Israel, then went on to the Communist sector of Germany,
became a strong supporter of the Communist idea, but was believed to
have protested at one time against anti-Jewish attitudes of the govern-
ment of which he became an active supporter and had served as a
member of its parliament and as president of the Fast German Acad-
emy of Arts.
There was evidence of his having taken issue with the Communists.
An AP report from Berlin, dated Feb. 15, 1954, stated:
Weizmann Letter Bought
A Soviet-zone poet committed what looked like mild heresy for Israel, Along With
today. He said the Communist system in East Germany restricts
Babi Yar Manuscript
personal freedom.
The criticism was voiced by Arnold Zweig, internationally
LONDON (JTA)—A handwritten
known pro-Communist author and sixty-one-year-old brother of the letter from the late Dr. Chaim
late Stefan Zweig, whose works have had a wide sale in the United Weizmann, first president of Israel,
States and Great Britain.
to the late Samuel Landman, writ-
He was quoted by the "Saechsisches Tageblatt," a Liberal ten in 1917, was sold at Sothebys
Democratic party newspaper of Dresden, as telling a Communist to a bidder who acquired it for
culture rally that it is time to guard against loss of freedom. A Israel.
man ought to have the right to some leisure, too, without being told
Also acquired for Israel was the
by a bureaucrat to go out and be leisurely, he commented.
original manuscript of Yevgeny
In the course of time we shall no doubt learn more about Zweig's Yevtushenko's poem "Babi Yar."
attitudes on Israel, Jewry, the Zionist ideal in which he was interested The purchase price of $7,680 was
for a time.
donated by Leo Graham, who
Meanwhile, there is a puzzle regarding his activities in the past bought the manuscript for the He-
decade. He had turned blind, and it not known whether he had created brew University's committee for
works of merit comparable to his early novels. His fame will live for a Soviet Jewry. There was no infor-
long time on the basis of novels which ranked among the very best mation about how the Yevtushenko
about World War I.
manuscript reached London.
A Note to Scranton About Menace from Beirut
Cabinet Acts to Ease Divorces of Mixed-Marriage Couples in Israel
*
*
JERUSALEM (JTA) -- The
cabinet approved draft legislation
Sunday that would enable partners
in a mixed marriage to obtain a
divorce from a civil court if a
religious court refuses to exercise
jurisdiction in the case.
Under present Israeli law, di-
vorce, like marriage, comes under
the jurisdiction of religious courts.
Some mixed couples have found
it impossible to obtain a divorce
because the religious courts con-
cerned ruled themselves incom-
petent to deal with the matter.
The legislation introduced Sun-
day by Minister of Justice Yacov
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Shapiro would empower the pres-
William W. Scranton, upon his return from his M.E. mission, spoke
as a friend of Israel, as one concerned about America's status in that
area, the need to cement friendships with the Arabs. Which is all
to the good: except that he returned to cliches similar to those that
have been used to condemn the Johnson-Humphrey administration—
something to the effect of the need for a new policy, for a change
in the attitude of the people, for a restoration of faith. This implies
that there has been a lack of faith, and that's farthest from the truth.
Voters wanted a change, but it is unjust to speak of a lack of faith,
thereby condemning a retiring administration to a status of a parish.
There is as much injustice in discussing the Middle East situa-
tion. The past administration had not been lacking in interest in the
attitudes of the Arab states. It was our feeling that the State Depart-
ment was inclined more in the direction of Arab than Israeli friend-
ship. But for the sake of politics Scranton now speaks in terms of
even-handedness. Ronald Ziegler, a Nixon spokesman, dissociated
2—Friday, December 20, 1968
ident of the Supreme Court to de-
termine the specific religious or
district court having jurisdiction in
each individual case. The attorney
general would be asked to inquire
if a religious court agrees to liti-
gate.
A cabinet majority rejected a
proposal from religious bloc mini-
sters to exclude Israeli Jews from
the terms of the bill.
The cabinet also decided to
create the offiee of "ombuds-
man" to investigate complaints
by citizens against the state or
other public bodies which do not
fall into categories normally ad-
judicated by the courts.
The ombudsman will be:appoint-
ed by the Knesset and will act
within the state controlle•s office.
The institution originated in the
Scandinavian countries and has
since been adopted by several
other European countries.
The cabinet agreed lo reroute a
new speedway planned to link Tel
Aviv with Lydda Airport because
the original route passed close to
Kfar Chabad, a village of an ultra-
Orthodox Hasidic sect. Residents
of the village petitioned for a
change in route because they
claimed the heavy traffic on Satur-
day would interfere with their Sab-
bath observance. ,