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2 Friday, April 25, 1975 -

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THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

Purely Commentary

Cause for Serious Concern: Who Guides the Presi-
dent in Judging Middle East Situation? . . .
New Republic's Realistic Historical Appraisal

By Philip
Slomovitz

Intransigence has become a funny word in relation to Israel. From every direction
Israel, in contrast, began trie talks willing to make substantial geographical conces-
guns are pointed at the tiny state, and she is the stubborn. More than 100,000,000 spout
sions — in fact just about what'Egypt wanted — and tried during the process to elicit
enmities at the Jewish state, but she is the uncompromising. A world indifferent to the
from Cairo political agreements that would justify giving up the two most important
needs of the 3,000,000 Jews who are thus endangered marks the attitude of the world
negotiating assets it holds in the Sinai. In the end Israel said it would give less territory
powers, but little Israel is accused of being intransigent.
for lesser , political concessions, but Egypt wouldn't contemplate anything other than max-
How does it happen that President Gerald Ford, in whose earlier role as Grand Rap-
imum geographic withdrawals.
ids Congressman listed hiinself among Israel's most dedicated friends, is now reportedly
Egypt's refusal to give the agreement any political character whatever confirmed
angered by supposedly intransigent Israel? Perhaps the New Republic editorial ("Who's
Israel's. worst fears that the transaction Sadat wanted would be more conducive to the
to Blame") provides a clue to the mystery. The New Republic makes this important revela-
conduct of war than to the pursuit of peace. Indeed Egyptian foreign minister Fahmi
tion:
admitted as much in an address to the Arab League Conference on March 24. "It is clear
("The) foreign policy in Indochina, Portugal, the eastern Mediterranean; and as it
that what was being discussed was neither a partial solution nor a solution by stages.lt is
pertains to energy and trade, is now, thanks in part to Congress, in such shambles that
also clear that what was being discussed was neither a temporary nor a permanent politi,
some might think Israel should have done virtually anything (and everything) to provide
cal settlement. The aim was a Military movement on an agreement with military
Washington with a symbolic success in its shuttle diplomacy. To be sure, that's not what
coloring."
the Secretary of State expected; but we are told now almost daily by columnists Evans
Egypt's negotiating strategies, to say nothing of statements by government officials
and Novak, who seem to be acting as Gerald Ford's interlocutors in the matter, that the
and
quasi-official
journalists, indicate that Cairo is not yet willing or able to renounce-the
President believes Israel let him down."
war option. The volatile Arab political community,. which includes Syria, Iraq, the PLO
If this is true — and why doubt it? — then it is the most tragic comment on a very
and Libya, "the rejection front" as it is called, is the greatest factor in pushing Egypt to
unhappy development in this nation's capital. That the President should depend upon
bald out for the possible dismemberment of Israel through military action or concerted
Evans and Novak as the "interlocutors" in a serious matter affecting the life of a nation
diplomatic activity, using the leverage of oil on Europe and Japan. The Russians also are
and the foreign policies of the_United States is most distressing. Evans and Novak have
lurking to play an inflammatory role. In this context, it is good that the United States
established a reputation for enmity towards Israel and their recent reports from Damas-
maintains friendly relations with Egypt, and that it does not engage in frivolous recrimi-
cus were especially venomous. Is it possible that Dr. Kissinger could not provide better
natio-ris against Cairo. America, through Dr. Kissinger, remains the most plausibre broker
guides-for the President in his choice of "interlocutors?"
among the contending parties, particularly in the polemical jungles of Geneva. At the
Many delusions have crept into the press and most_of the news analysts have been
same time, Americans should not fawn on the Egyptians. Sadat's announcement that he
misled in their judgments of the,Middle East issues. This is the misfortune confronted by
would reopen-the Suez Canal on June 5, greeted as "statesmanlike," was accompanied by
Israel's friends. Fortunately the review of the existing conditions as formulated by the
notice that he would ban from Suez cargoes bound for Israel. As part of the first disen-
New Republic is factual. It is a long account of developments and their background and it
gagement agreement, in which Israel released Egypt's surrounded Third Army and with-
merits total utilization. In the "Who's to Blame" editorial the New Republic referred to
drew from the African banks of Suez, Sadat pledged in writing to President Nixon (and
the influence of Evans and Novak upon the President and defined the Middle East condi-
Nixon communicated it to Mrs. Meir) to allow cargoes bound for Israel through the canal.
tions as follows:
It is 'difficult to see how The Washington Post and Ambassador Robert Anderson see a
Mr. Kissipger, certainly knows that no permanent American interest will be served
gesture violating this promise as a "responsible move." It is certainly not a move destined
by bullying Israel. He has lectured too much on our responsibilities to allies to allow his
to build Israeli faith in the credibility of Egyptian commitments, or in American guaran-
disappointments and whatever concrete differences he may have had with Israel during
tees of these commitments.
the recent talks to undermine our historical commitment to a democratic society whose
For the U.S. to pressure Israel is ill-conceived. Suspending arms deliveries to Israel as
safety should be the burden of conscience to civilization. The Secretary feels this possibly
the
Soviets
are increasing their weapons supply to the Arabs will only encourage belliger-
more than anyone else in the administration; but there will be great pressure, if not to
ence among Israel's neighbors and tempt them yet again to war. Nor does hinting about
sacrifice Israel, then to squeeze that nation so much that in the end it is sacrificed. Power-
Israeli intransigence, and inspiring in Jerusalem fear of abandonment, help sustain the
ful business interests will see pressure on Israel as a lure for the homeless Arab petrodol-
deep
trust Israel has had in America, trust that has allowed our country to play a critical
lar. Others will welcome it as a way of disengaging the U.S. from - a problem that has come
and responsible role in its own interests and those of peace in the Middle East. Moreover,
to seem chronic and contagious. Or they will want to punish Israel for frustrating a major
pressuring Israel is not warranted by dint of the fact that the Rabin government was
American diplomatic initiative, on which more was at stake than the conflict between
willing from the outset to cede positions of tremendous strategic advantage to get another
Israel and the Arabs.
No doubt President Sadat would have welcomed a second stage agreement in the - agreement, which would at best have been insubstantial. Even if the Egyptians had given
in return whatever Israel wanted, decent people would still have held their breath for
Sinai if he had been able to win one wholly on his own terms. In that sense, it might be
years.
correct to say that he did not enter the talks hoping they would fail. But his own terms
Congress is awakening to the blunders that caused this nation so much harm and so
called for a series of major territorial and economic concessions from Israel — strategic
many lives in Asian commitments. Israel has guardedly avoided complications that could
mountain passes, considerable land and valuable oil wells — in exchange for vague and
involve this country militarily. Properly assisted with defensive arms Israel can assuredly
easily revokable assurances, not to Israel, but to the United States. He knew this would be
retain a status of security for herself and for the American position in the Middle East.
wholly unacceptable to Israel, to any adversary in almost any conflict. But he hoped that
But the intrusion of venom, misrepresentations, factual distortion can do much harm.
the American need for a diplomatic achievement was so great that either the United
The
President and the Secretary of State have great obligations to preventsuch menacing
States would succeed in imposing on the Rabin government a settlement that Rabin could
developments. Anything other than truth vis-a-vis Israel's role and avoidance of distortion
not defend to his own people or, failing to do that, the United States would so reduce its
of truth will be inexcusable whether it affects the White House, the State Department or
support for Israel that in any future war the military advantage would be Egypt's.
the Congress of the United States.

RESPECT AND SUSPECT . . . THE ROOT OF ISRAEL'S REACTIONS TO POWERS NOT TO BE TRUSTED
TEL AVIV — Secretary of State Henry Kissinger's wet-
President Ford may have blundered. That's not alto-
It all began with an Israel
ted eyes, upon his departure from Israel in a state of help- gether rational or realistic. Shortly after he became Pres
rather than an American states-
lessness, were the transplant of tears, tears that fail to dry dent, Gerald Ford, who, as a Congressman from Grand -I-
man. Abba Eban, 'during his
on the faces of millions of Israelis.
Rapids, demanded recognition of Jerusalem as the capital
guest professorship at Columbia
Once again, Israel is the last rampart, akin to Masada, of Israel, backwatered and suggested he be granted time to
University made it a point to
compelling the resharpening of the sword every Israeli had consider the Jerusalem issue anew.
plead for "secret diplomacy" as a
hoped to keep breaking into a plowshare.
Once again, it is the State Department that dominates,
way of treating the Middle East
From all quarters comes the echo of "Jihad . . . Jihad" and while the Kissinger sincerity is not questioned the oil
issue.
.. . holy war; and Israel begs for peace.
magnates and their billions are in evidence in all quarters.
The faithful sang the Passover hymns at the Seder.
Is Israel totally isolated in an unfriendly world?
Israelis are in great need of
Many recalled the horrors of the death camps whence they
Once again, two basic gudielines dominate the average
gestures of comfort, of uninter-
escaped into freedom in Israel. It gave courage in the faith Israeli mind. One is, in reference to the world's diplomacy:
rupted friendships. They need
that a people with so many memories, so much multiple "Kabdehu v' chashdehu" — respect him, and suspect him.
the assurances that are so vital
dangers, will not succumb because it has the will to live. Yet The other is from Psalms: -"Al tivtekhu b'nedivim" — trust
of protection militarily and
there was the gloom that comes from living in a hemmed in not in princes. Israel apparently is being made a testing
economically by the United
sphere, in a land that is a mere pin prick on a map of the ground for diplomatic experimentation and expediency.
States.
world, amidst surroundings of terror and the threat of de- This became evident when the Kissinger mission collapsed
struction by an enemy the imperiled would like to embrace on March 22. That's when President Ford again became a
Even, greater is the need for strengthened kinship b3
in friendship.
dilemma to Jewry and Israel.
fellow Jews from all over the world. They need to see the
- Is Israel becoming the medium for the conservatives
faces, to shake the hands of American, Canadian and Bri-
That's when Ron Nessen expressed annoyance with Is-
who seek an end to one of the chief hopes for greater liberal-
tish Jews. Without the comfort that, comes from them the
ism in international affairs that emerged from World War rael because of a report that the President had used "a
Israelis will be less confident. They must Win their own bat-
strong word" in criticism of Israel.
I?
for life, but they need the word of cheer that comes when
The only word quoted at that time was "stubbornness" a tle tourist
visits their land.
During the peace considera- attributed to Israel.'
Robert St. John's report to The Jewish NeWs about the
tions after World War I at Ver-
But earlier, perhaps two weeks prior to the subjection
immensity of the tourist trade in Egypt is reminiscent of
sailles, President Woodrow Wil- of Israel to indirect criticism, in a very crucial moment in
son placed high on the agenda of the era of peace-seeking, Kissinger had played a role in em- what had occurred in Medinat Israel only two years ago.
Cairo_is not begrudged; the condition into which the Egyp-
his proposals for greater world phasizing what Nessen had pleaded for: "quiet diplomacy."
tians have encircled Israel is deplored. The panic that has
peace efforts the adoption of the
Kissinger pleaded with newsmen who accompanied reduced tourism and has emptied some of the hotels is
principle "open covenants,
cause for great distress. It is evidence that in some measure
openly arrived at." Is this now a him on his shuttle diplomacy missions against "leaks." This the enemy is succeeding — by depressing. Israel's economy.
may have been the first time in the history of diplomatic
dead letter in diplomacy?
The offsetting of this menace is the chief hope in Israel and
But Israelis must know negotiations that the often-benefited "leaks" from govern-
'the
basis for the major plea with fellow Jews not to aban-
mental
deliberations
held
in
camera
had
become
an
issue.
their fate. They seek the facts.
don the distressed.
Something must leak, some one "Leaks" were known but were not for discussion.
The battle for life is Israel's; the duty to assist the de-
must express concern or anger
Kissinger pleaded for "quiet diplomacy," Nessen was fenders of life, liberty and the right to self-determination
— or hope. Therefore complete the spokesman for President Ford in an emphasis for se-
secrecy is a myth, and in the crecy and an old Wilsonian principle was about to be sent by Jews is world Jewry's. , •
Middle East it is a mirage.
to its doom.

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Copyright 1975, JTA Inc.

