Purely Commentary
Sensation Seeking vs. Truth Probing
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Jack Anderson's most recent column negates all the established ,
facts in relation to the charge—Arab-manufactured—that Americans
are fighting in Israel's armed forces against the Arabs.
When this charge first was leveled, it was established, through
figures obtained from the American embassies and the State Depart-
ment, that there were less than three dozen American youths who had
enrolled in the Israeli forces. But because there are 20,000 American
Jews in Israel—he hasn't established how many Christians are among
the 20,000, since many non-Jews are devotedly and devoutly pro-Israel
—there is the assumption that American Jews are actively engaged
in warfare against the Arabs.
When a correspondent writes that U.S. draft dodgers are volun-
teering for service in Israel he tells only an exaggerated story in
a prejudice-creating fashion.
Let it be set straight: of course, there are 20,000 Americans in
Israel: and the hope of propagators of Aliya is that the number will
increase 10-fold—for the obvious reason that there is a spiritual
affinity between us and Israel, and there is the call of the ages and
of our heritage for Jews to settle in Israel.
If participation in Israel's defense through labor on the farms.
enrollment in universities, the building of industries, it to be inter-
preted as membership in defense forces, then the need can be inter-
preted ideally, ethically, humanely. So be it! But the allusion of military
participation that would subject enrollees in Israel's defense in an
illegal role is a rather indecent thing to say. It is sensation-seeking,
not fact-finding.
Jack Anderson has been leaning for many years in the direction
of sensation-mongering that has often been harmful to Jews. He had
blundered previously, even in the years when he was the mere assistant
to the late Drew Pearson whose successor he became when the eminent
columnist died about two years ago. What he does hardly lends either
dignity or honor to Drew Pearson's memory.
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By Philip
Former State Department Official's Strong
Stand for Firm Action by U.S. in Mid East . .
Egyptian Position and the USSR Ambitions.
SIOMOIritZ
erent in Sensational Journalism
Responsible Statesmanship Negates the Prejudices
Inh
decency in relationships between citizens in this country and
Sensational journalism is undermining
in our international relations. The Jack Anderson approach to the Middle East problem is alluded to
by a note of all-too-evident prejudice in the Na-
elsewhee in these columns. Now we are again confronted
tional Observer which has pursued a policy so antagonistic to Israel and to Jewry that we are forced to
give their views some attention.
In its report of the statement on peace plans made last week by Secretary of State William P.
Rogers (bylined in the Observer by Lawrence Mosher and Wesley Pruden Jr.), there appears this
paragraph: "Said one State Department man: 'The Israelis have been told that nothing is for free anymore'. "
This is so outrageous, so misleading, that it calls for challenge as well as condemnation. If a State
Department official really made this statement then the department should investigate the attitude of a
prejudiced employe.
asked for will be fully paid for,
The fact is-that Israel is not asking for free gifts, that the jets
as have all previous orders.
on to agree
There is another untrue paragraph in theObserver report. "Israel has steadfastly refused meeting
insisting instead
to talks with the Aabs under the supervision of the UN or the big powers,
the advantage
the Arabs in direct head-to-head talks. Only by direct talks, the Israelis argue, can they use
Arabs."
in the Six-Day War to put the necessary pressure on the
of their stunning victory
that Israel has reiterated for some time that there could also be indirect talks, as at
The truth is
Dr. Gunnar Jarring and is willing to conduct
Rhodes in 1948, and that Israel has had discussions with
But the possibilities of talks become
negotiations with the Arabs unto a point of eventually coming to terms.
measure to the prejudices that are encouraged by enemies of Israel.
more difficult due in great
take into account the protection Israel provides for the American
These enemies would do well to
the Middle East by keeping the Suez Canal closed, by creating the obstacle to Russia's attaining
position in
control of the Mediterranean in defiance of the U.S. and as a menace to the
New York Times
U.S.. What needs to be done was outlined in the Sunday
Magazine section, in an article, "Suez Is the Front to Watch," by former Un-
dersecretary of State George W. Ball, who reviewed the complex situation
and declared the following to be necessities in the present situation:
"So long as the United States continues to watch the evolution of
the chances
events in the Middle East with her thoughts largely elsewhere,
of reviving serious discussions looking toward an over all settlement seem
quite remote. But now the deployment of Soviet pilots has added a new
element of urgency, and--provided we have the realism and incisivenew
The Russian Bear and Its Hug . . . Nasser . . . Naguib
to react to the danger—effective common action may be possible this time.
For the historical records, because of the vast amount of research
"If we do face up to the problem, and the President gains the under-
already done in accounting for the Russian aspirations in the Medi-
standing and support of the American people, we should be in a position
terranean and in the effort to include the Middle East among its
to demand, on threat of direct American military involvement, that the
captives, a significant approach to the issue is contained in C. L.
SoViets remove most if not all of their military personnel from Egypt. At
Sulzberger's report from Erivan. the USSR. Sulzberger's "Where the
the same time we should insist on urgent action to develop an agreed-upon
Middle East Begins" is a long report but its value justifies its being
blueprint for the settlement of the Middle Eastern problem, including
quoted:
necessary guarantees for both sides.
ERIVAN, U.S.S.R.—In discussing
"To be effective, such a 'demarche' would require as a prelude a
George W. Ball
Moscow's policy toward the Middle Ever since the first Soviet weap-
message
to
the American people and full and urgent consultations with key members
shipments to Cairo (disguised clear Presidential
East, many people forget that the ons
as a "Czechoslovakian" deal) Mos- of the Congress, for the President must make it clear to the leaders of the Kremlin not only that he is
Soviet Union is itself a Middle cow's stock has been steadily rising determined to bring matters to a showdown but that he carries with him the support of the nation and
Eastern power. The U.S.S.R. con-
his words ino action.
tains many Moslems and borders in Egypt. is thus able to translate
This is not a "Zionist propagandist" speaking. These are the warnings and admonitions of a
Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey. Leg-
Nor have the Russians neglected tested statesman who has represented the U.S. at the UN as well as at the State Department. If we
endary heroes of the Middle East- other Middle Eastern areas,
are to face the issue realistically there must be recognition of a serious American .stake whichis pres-
ern past came from what is now
But Egypt is the key country and ently protected by Israel, the only democracy of merit in the Middle East.
Soviet territory.
We are confident that serious-minded Americans will not ignore the facts. To accept them there
there the Russians have played a ,
One is reminded of all this in the particularly subtle game, avoiding must be a rejection of the prejudices that often creep into speculative news commentaries.
capital of Soviet Armenia, to all sponsorship of any Communist
intents and purposes Middle East. revolutionary
program and even
in-
ern. The Armenians live here, in refraining from complaint when was still in power there was the belief that he would strive for peace more serious than is frequently
more
Turkey, Syria and Lebanon. Right Nasser locks up local Communists. with Israel. That was one of the heatening reports that were brought dicated. Concern also is much
back
to
us
after
he
had
met
with
the
Egyptian
deposed
statesman
by
extensive.
across the way in Turkey towers When the Egyptian revolution be-
ZINS news agency this week car-
F. Pierrot.
the famous Armenian peak of gan with the ouster of King Farouk the eminent Detroiter, George
ried an item datelined Naples, Italy
On Nov. 8, 1952, upon his return from Cairo, Pierrot informed us:
Ararat of Noah's Ark.
and then, just seventeen years ago,
which stated:
Russia's traditional quest for in- Egypt was proclaimed a republic
General Naguib does not remem•
fluence to the south, a quest that under Mohammed Naguib, Moscow ber the Arab-Israel war with pride, disagreements with Israel can be U.S. Admiral Horatio Rivera,
commander of NATO forces in
became serious in the eighteenth laid low. A year later Naguib was He believes the faulty showing of settled without war.
Jewish people can and do hold Southern Europe, uredicts that, if
century, resembles other great ousted, Nasser moved from behind Egyptian troops was due to the
power drives into contiguous areas the scenes to take open control. rottenness of King Farouk and his good positions in Egypt, and many war r out, the Soviet Medi
associates higher up. Naguib spoke own thriving businesses. Ability is terranean fleet would be smashed
—those of Germany into central I then uTote:
Europe, China- into southern Asia, "The ouster of General Naguib with intensity about these matters. what counts in getting a Boob job, within a matter of six hours, ac-
Yet, though he was three times not nationality or race, "Jewish cording to an interview with him.
of
or of America into Mexico. as Cairo's first President is part
This historical Russian push saw a volcanic process whose end is wounded while fighting in the front people are not mistreated in EgYPt, published in the newspaper Eu.
gradual extension of control over still uncertain. Naguib is the Keren- lines with his troops, he did not and as long as I am in authority, rona. Within 60 minutes, said the
admiral, the Straits of Gibraltar
huge non•Siavic areas in the Cau• sky of the Egyptian revolution; but seem to hold any rancor. He told they will not be."
General Naguib said he feared and the Bosporus would be blocked,
casus and central Asia until it ran he might not be the only Kerensky. us of corruption in higher staff
into British opposition. Britain Before it runs its turgid course the pcsitions controlled by Farouk, of that some Jewish leaders have in Forcing the Russians to choose be-
propped up Ottoman Turkey, built revolution on the Nile may devour grenades that contained only sand, the back of their minds further and tween two alternatives: surrender
an Indian colonial army, and called others of its children." of ammunition that exploded Are- large expansion of Jewish territory or annihilation. If the Suez Canal
a halt to the penetration of Iran. Naguib--the Kerensky with a fez maturely, killing Egyptian troops, at the expense of the Arabs. He were open, Admiral Rivera noted,
The United States shouldered this —is still under what Nasser calls of medical supplies that arrived would like assurance on this point.' the Soviet flotilla could escape via
He said that upwards of a mil. that route; but the Suez is blocked
policy when Britain faded out of "palace arrest," meaning that he either too late or in insufficient
the empire business and Moscow's has luxurious quarters but no lib-! quantity. He spoke angrily of an lion Arabs have been displaced and the Israelis are maintaining -a
initial efforts after World War II erty. Meanwhile Nasser has con-'' 511,000,000 munition purchase deal from their homes in Israel by the watchful vigilance to make sure
to gain pieces of eastern Turkey selidated his position despite mili- i n which Farouk profited hugely Jews. These Arabs are miserably i that it will not be onened. The pa-
and northwestern Iran were frus- tare defeats in 1956 and 1967. But through the sale of faulty ammu- quartered in concentration camps. per. commenting editorially on the
trated. Stalin, who v•as more con• —while tending more and more to nition and equipment to his oval set up by impoverished neighboring published interview, believes that
Arab countries who cannot afford one of the goals of the escalating
servative than his reputation, the left—he avoids Communism.
troops.
wished to avoid confrontation with Russian technicians, officers. Pi-
We (Col. Homer F. Kellems and to maintain them. He believes the Soviet intervention in Egvnt is to
U.S. maritime and air power in lots and soldiers have moved into I) asked the General whether or United States should use its good open the Suez Canal, and that the
areas where Soviet communications Egypt; Nasser relies on the U.S.S.R. not he hated the Jews, whether or offices in bringing out a settlement 1Kremlin is prepared to nay a steep
and military strength were weak. to defend him; and Moscow's skill- not the Jews were mistreated in of th is bl price to attain that objective.
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,
That's all he said that bore di-
However, Stalin started massive ful envoy, Ambassador Yinogradov, Egypt, whether or not it was true
naval and missile construction and is locally called "the high commis- that Jews could not obtain good rectly on the Israel Egypt question.
-epeat—he impressed me as a
by the time America had crystal- sioner." Yet Nasser still proclaims positions in Cairo.
great in r possessing great quali-
lized its own Middle East policy by his potential freedom of action.
General Naguib's answers were
sponsoring the Baghdad Pact (now
The question therefore is, can immediate and emphatic. And he ties—gualiiies of courage, sincerity,
unselfish devotion to country, com-
CENTO), Moscow was in a strong. Moscow really depend on Nasser
impressed both of us as being abso- plete honesty, an uncompromising
er position to react.
Surely for the moment
The reaction was designed to Nasser seems to fill the Kremlin . lately honest. He said in substance: enemy of graft and corruption. He
He himself has no enmity toward wants a strong Egypt, but a peace-
leapfrog over this "northern tier" bill. This provokesrecollection (as
Jews or Israel. ("I have many ful Egypt. He wants the common
supposed to protect the Middle cited before in these columns) of the
Jewish friends, and they are good man to share the good things of
East, and to seek alliance with
E. Housman's "Demise of an I friends"). He believes all present
Egypt, leader of today's Arab A.
life.
Imperceptive Youth":
.
world.
It is additionally interesting to note that in a followup note Pierrot
The grizzly bear is huge and
Moscow developed this strategy
i•i/d:
informed us:
when Washington refused to sell
"I have great faith in Naguib. His danger is assassination. I
He has devoured the infant
arms to Nasser, withdrew aid for
child.
think he is an honest man of vision who will keep his promises."
The infant child is not
his Aswan High Dam, and finally
While all this is pagt history, it is worth recallng as an indication
aware
Britain and France joined Israel
that prior to Gamal Abdel Nasser there may have been an excellent
It has been eaten by the
in the 1956 Suez war against Egypt.
chance for peace, during the reign of Naguib. But, for that matter,
bear
For an understanding of the Russian role, it is necessary to know it has been said time and again that Nasser, too, was willing to make
the aims of the Russian Bear to understand what the Communist regime peace with Israel. And in his case, as in Naguib's, to quote Pierrot,
is assassination!"
aspires to, to be aware of all the intentions of the Kremlin. the "danger
There is much more to the Middle East and the Russian involve-
Sulzberger's analyses recall many past events. The reference to
Naguib and his "palace arrest" is especially noteworthy. When Naguib ment than appears on the surface. And the American position is much
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This may sound like a warning.
But the historical background is a
matter of firmness with regard to
the Middle East and American in-
terests as opposed to the Russian
aspirations.
One factor appears certain: Rus-
sia's main aim is to force Israel to
open the Suez waterway. Israel will
not budge from her present posi-
tion, and apparently the United
States must make certain that
Israel's position on the Suez banks
is a correct one for this country.
Perhaps that is why 77 per cent of
the U.S. Senate and a majority in
the House of Representatives sup-
ports Israel in the struggle for life.
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
2—Friday, July 3, 1970