THE JEWISH NEWS
Incorporating The Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with issue of July 20, 1951
Member American Association of English—Jewish Newspapers, ,Michlgan 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 $7 a year. Foreign $8.
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Second Class Postage Paid at Detroit, Michigan
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PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Editor and Publisher
CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ
Business Manager
SIDNEY SHMARAK
Advertising Manager
CHARLOTTE DUBIN
City Editor
Sabbath Scriptural Selections
This Sabbath, 25th day of Adar, 5729, the following scriptural selections will
be read in our synagogues:
Pentateuchal portions, Ex. 35:1.40:38, 12:1-20. Prophetical portion, Ezekiel
45:16-46:18.
Rosh Hodesh Nisan Tora reading Thursday, Num. 28:1-15.
Candle lighting. Friday, March 14, 6:18 p.m.
VOL. LIV. No. 26
Page Four
March 14, 1969
Middle East Aim...Not Extremism but Peace'
Speculation still runs high in political and
newspaper circles over the exaggerated view
that the late Levi Eshkol was the more mod-
erate while Moshe Dayan, Yigal ,Allon and
other young Israeli leaders are tle hawks.
The fact, so strongly indicated in the actions
of the native Israeli leaders, as well as those
of Jerusalem's Mayor Teddy Kollek, points to
a general desire for peace, a strong urge to
get together with the Arab leaders and to put
an end to a state of war that benefits no one.
Gen Dayan is a typical example of a war-
rior whose chief aim is to assure rapproche-
ment, to seek dialogue and to have it lead to
good relations. He is anxious to converse with
the Arabs, under most critical conditions he
has gone right into areas that are predomi-
nantly Arab to speak with the people and to
discuss with them the chief needs for peace
and amity.
We take Gen. Dayan as an example be-
cause he is considered the most militant of the
Israeli leaders. But in reality he does not
differ in his aims for peace from any other
spokesman for his people.
Nevertheless, every editorial written after
the death of Levi Eshkol kept expressing con-
cern and reflected the view that the new gen-
eration of Isralis—the sabras—are extremists
and unrestrained. Such an attitude has led
some papers to renew the call for an "imposed
peace, ' and the Christian Science Monitor has
gone so far as to suggest that "America and
Russia ... use their weight to bring about an
even-handed and as lasting a settlement in the
Middle East as diplomacy can effect." If any
one can visualize Russia conceding to amity
between Arabs and Jews—and a state of good
neighborliness is possible only when neigh-
bors are on speaking terms—he is a dreamer
On the basis of past experience at least two
of the big powers, Russia and France, are not
to be trusted to show good will towards Israel
and that almost at once rules out the possi
bilty of Four Power action.
It is not to be implied that we do not favor
"weight" from outside powers to influence
good decisions. But only on the basis of a
posSible friendship can there ever be the
rapprochement all hope for.
The tragedy is that the situation is worsen
ing, that there is little hope of Arabs yielding
to the basic need of sitting together with
Israelis - and others—but with Israelis as active
participants—in planning a lasting peace. The
young among the Arabs. their newly educated
elements and their professors, have turned to
terrorism. El Fatah has the strong support of
Hussein and Nasser. Other Arab groups that
are bent upon a policy of terroristic actions
Prophecy is intermingled with the record of creative accomplish-
have the support of their governments and
financial assistance from many quarters. The ments by the builders and rebuilders of Zion in one of the most impres-
dangers are growing, and they certainly can sive books for young students published by the Union of American
not be diminished if world public opinion will Hebrew Congregations.
view the emergence of a new government as
"Behold, the Land," titled "Ayin LeTzion" in Hebrew, by Helen
being militaristic just because the new leader- Fine, contains the facts so excellently compiled; and the book is so well
ship after an interim premiership is certain to illustrated, with important maps and drawings by Rose Zamonski that
' relate the story of the historic efforts in the Land of Israel, that this
be in the hands of the sabras.
There is need for emphasis that sabras as book deserves highest rating.
well as those who were born abroad form a
The prologue. titled in Hebrew as "B'reshit," invites the young
united Israeli people that seeks peace. That's reader to begin studying the data about the Jewish State, Medinat
the hope of world Jewry, the Israelis' kins-
men. It is to this end that we labor, and for
It is clear that the new approaches to Jewish teachings in Reform
this that we plead. Jews and Arabs will live schools
are tinged with Hebrew. While the Hebrew terms are used only
side by side for a long time. It should be in in chapter
titles, the book nevertheless sparkles with them.
a spirit of good will and of peace. It is not in
Reviewing the history of the state of Israel, the author recog-
sight, but we continue to pray for it.
nizes the heroes who established the independent state, the "Giborel
Tziyon" who included both the fighters for freedom as well as the
political leaders, commencing with David Ben-Gurion, and there is
this tribute to the first prime minister of Israel: "The old Hon
Eban said last week: Russia's participation in
remains fearless, bold and strong. 'The Old Man,' as the Israelis
Four Power talks will be "suspect." But
affectionately call him, is still full of dreams."
President Nixon already as much as said at
The wars are accounted for, and the redemption of Jerusalem Is
his press conference that the USSR is guilty described;
in the course of narrating these historic facts, the heroes
of fomenting the state of war in the Middle who led in the
battles, Moshe Dayan, Itzhak Rabin and their associates,
East.
receive full credit for their historic efforts.
Conducting negotiations, placing Confi-
While presenting the story up to the present time, the author traces
dence in the views of men like Max M. Fisher
and leaders in the Christian as well as the past history, the early struggles, the War of Independence, the role of
Jewish communities, President Nixon pro- men like Col. David Marcus who died in the battle for Jerusalem and
vides a feeling of confidence that the road was among the "Giborei Tziyon."
Thus, Halutziut, pioneering, in the early days of Zionist endeavors,
o peace will not be blocked by prejudicial
and one-sided sentiments. The President has is not ignored. The major funds are explained—the Jewish National
created an atmosphere of faith at his press Fund, Keren Hayesod and the current work of the United Jewish
Appeal. Appended prescribed questions, and suggestions for things to
conference.
'Behold the Land ' Remarkable
UAHC Youth Book About Israel
,
,
Approach to Realism in Nixon's Position
President Nixon's numerous comments on
the Middle East situation, in response to
questions at the press conference that dealt
with foreign affairs, last week, indicated firm-
ly that the new administration is approaching
the issues realistically.
There was firmness in the President's as-
sertions that he understood fully the role
of the Soviet Union, that the USSR was arm-
ing the Arabs, that without such arms there
would not have emerged the present serious
crisis.
Furthermore, Mr. Nixon was unhesitant in
his assertions that Israel as well as the Arab
states will be consulted, that the negotiations
which may commence soon at the United Na-
tions by the world's major powers may lead
to bringing Israel and the Arab states to-
gether.
Indeed, he did not foresee that there
could be an immediate peace, but the mere
fact that he spoke of direct negotiations be-
tween Israelis and Arabs was in itself an en-
couraging gesture and an expression of the
President's desire to assure an early end to
the conditions that have embroiled the Mid-
dle East in what must be viewed as a full
scale war without declarations of war.
President Nixon's view of the situations in
the Middle East and Vietnam .as having led
to escalations because S of the USSR's sup-
port of North Vietnam and the Arab states,
served as a warning; but his conclusion that
Russia, foreseeing the menacing dangers,
does not desire a confrontation, serves as en-
couragement that the craving for peace will
not be fruitless.
There is talk of a phase-out—of Israel
withdrawing from certain areas—but if the
Nixon view is to be interpreted correctly
it must be considered as a withdrawal
based on the agreement that will assure
protection as well as recognition for Is-
rael, and a solemn mutual accord. '
s Trim.,
Zuseitus it Minister, . Abba
Eshkol's Successor
There is no doubt that the selection of
Golda Meir as interim successor to Levi
Eshkol was based on careful planning to
prepare the groundwork for the eventual
elevation of Yigal Allon to the premiership
of Israel. Nevertheless it must be recognized
that from the point of view of experience
Mrs. Meir qualifies as well as any one for the
highest post in Israel's government
Perhaps it would have been wiser for the
Labor Party in Israel immediately to select
as prime minister the man slated for the job
by the ruling party — the man who was,
indeed, the late Mr. Eshkol's personal pref-
erence for the job. But it is unimaginary to
believe that any choice might mean an
approach to a hawkish policy. Mrs. Meir
desires peace as much as Mr. Eshkol did, as
much as Yigal Allon and Abba Eban — and
even the man considered most hawkish of all,
Moshe Dayan — do.
Therefore any interim rulership means a
continuation of established policy. The people
of Israel and their rulers desire peace. In
that aim they must receive the support of
all who seek civilized status for the Middle
East.. • • -L.- - • • - . • • • •
.
do enable the young reader to become a part of the great endeavor by
linking the prescribed lessons to realities.
The manner in which the settlements in Eretz Israel were built,
the agricultural tasks, the industrial plans, are not ignored, and the
book for children could well be turned into a textbook for adults
who need the initial knowledge about Israel, Zionism, the migra-
tions which helped redeem the broken-down masses who were
rescued in Israel.
While relating the story of Israel, "Behold, the Land" also 'de-
scribes holiday celebrations, tells about archaeology and the accorn; ,
plishments of Yigael Yadin and explains the background of Masada
and its lesson for this age.
An epilogue with deeply moving sentiments concludes the book and
offers this message to the young readers:
"Our story of Eretz Yisrael has come to an end. In it you have read
how the Jewish people lives on its own land.
"You have learned how our people feels about its ancient homeland.
You understand why Israel's citizen army is willing to fight for its land
any time its right to exist is threatened. You also understand how Jew-
ish ideals and beliefs are expressed in the Jewish state.
"Although you and I live in America so many miles away, strong
bonds join us to our Jewish homeland for we are part of the Jewish
people. We, too, are descendants of the ancient Israelites who lived on
the historic soil of the Land of Israel. We, too, share the love for the
Tanakh. It is our everlasting treasure, and Eretz Yisrael is our Holy
Land. For we are part of Am Yisrael—the people of Israel. We
care deeply about what happens to Jews everywhere in the world and
particularly in the state of Israel. Like all Jews everywhere throughout
our long Jewish history, many of the hopes for our people he in Brett
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