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2 Friday, August 27, 1976
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Purely Commentary
Trust in Party Platforms:
Hold Candidates to Pledges
Politicians with tongues in cheeks, news commen-
tators cynically motivated, laugh up their sleeves and •
more often quite openly and loudly at party platforms
adopted at quadrennial conventions. Is it all really so
irresponsible? If it is then pledges of support for Israel
are meaningless and other obligations voiced during
the search for national power are worthless.
Yet there is value in -these pledges not to be ig-
nored. The party platforms are a matter of record and
those framing them must be held responsible for them.
Have pledges to American and world Jewries for
adherence to traditional friendships fallen into dis-
use? Have they ever had meaning and influence?
Isaiah L. Kenen, now, editor emeritus of the Near
East Report, organ of the American Israel Public Af-
fairs Committee, one of the most authoritative publi-
cists on the question of Israel, the Middle East and the
two major American political parties, offered interest-
ing recollections on the subject in the last issue of that
important weekly policy analysis. He stated: .
Cynics scoff at political
As the debate proceeded
in Paris, the Israeli army
platforms as soothing,
vote-catching platitudes. broke through the Egyp-
They are wrong. Having tian lines and took control
of the Negev area. The
attended 15 national con-
British and Americans
ventions since Franklin D.
were about to vote for a
Roosevelt's 1932 victory, I
know that platforms do UK-Chinese resolution
express and help crys- threatening sanctions
against Israel. unless she
talize national opinion.
National party plat- withdrew her forces. On
forms can have an imnact the eve of the vote some-
on the course of events. one called Truman's atten-
Certainly, Israel's history tion to a sentence in the
is an illuminating exam- 1948 Democratic Platform
ple. President Roosevelt which explicitly opposed
never came out for a any changes in Israel's
Jewish commonwealth boundaries without her
during 11 years in office — consent.
not until a few weeks after
The language read:
"We approve the claims
the Democratic conven-
tion adopted its 1944 of the state of Israel to the
boundaries set forth Nov.
plank.
Zionists fought for a 29, and consider that mod-
clear and detailed plard in ifications thereof should
1948 after the Administra- be made only if fully ac-
tion reversal earlier that ceptable to the state of Is-
year and the subsequent rael."
establishment of Israel.
Alerted to this threat,
That was an unhappy Truman promptly cabled
period when the Anglo- his UN delegation at Paris
American Arabists had in order to block the con-
sought to block Israel's templated anti-Israel vote.
In 1960, the Democratic
creation. After their fai-
lure, they tried to transfer platform opposed an arms
the Negev to Jordan, al- imbalance and two years
though the United Nations later, President Kennedy
itself had assigned the de- approved the sale of the
sert area to Israel. Truman Hawk anti-aircraft missile
countermanded the to Israel, the first arms she
Arabists' plan just before ever received from the Un-
ited States.
the UN vote in 1947.
So platforms do have
But a year later, in
Paris, our UN delegation significance and an impact
joined the British in the at- on events. Furthermore,
tempt to award the Negev they are read by the candi-
to Jordan in accordance dates for office, by editors,
with -the plan recom- by columnists, by
mended by the acting educators, and by many
mediator, Ralph Bunche. ordinary folk who are
The plan would have dras- genuinely concerned
tically reduced the size of about America's future.
the Jewish state from the They are probably read
6,370 square miles re- more carefully by foreign
commended by UNSCOP ministries in other lands
than by Americans.
to 2,124 square miles.
Si Kenen's reminiscences serve as an admonition not to
permit important pledges to be pigeonholed. His statement ,
should serve as an order to all who have responsibility for
Israel's protection to emblazon the political party planks on
the Middle East in every contact with political leaders when
the need arises for action to defend Israel's safety. It is
hoped, of course, that there will will be no need for such
demands, but friends of Israel of all faiths must ever keep
in mind that there are party pledges and these must be
adhered to.
,
By Philip
itz
Slornov 7
Political Party Platforms: Are They Genuine or Must the
Vigilant Demand Adherence to Them by Opportunistic Officials?
A Ghanaian's Demand for Pact With Israel
.
In many of the lands that benefited from Israel's
knowhow there was regret but it was not expressed
publicly. In spite of Arab threats and obstructions there is a
voice of reason and friendship from at least one country.
The Ghananian government was called upon to restore
relations with Israel by Ray Kakraba-Quarshie in an article
in the Ghanaian Echo:
The Arabs have far too long had their way. And
some of us have learned to our detriment that we
have been used as mere tools in the politics of the
Middle East by our Arabian brothers.
In 1974, the Arabs were able to get member
states of the OAU to break diplomatic relations
with Israel. And what did we get in return for our
support? Higher and higher oil prices . . .
To those of us who believe in the ideals of the
UN, resolutions such as the one equating 'Zionism'
with 'racism' do the UN no credit whatsoever. It
tends to prove the point that the organization has
lost its luster and bearing.
I take consolation in the fact that Ghana
abstained on the said resolution.
That resolution sets a very dangerous prece-
dent because it means anyone or group, regional or
not, that can control world economy can get a re-
solution through the General Assembly on any sub-
ject, no matter how silly.
Today it is "Zionism." Tomorrow it will be
pan-Africanism; then Negritude, then Arabism
and so on. It is high time African states take a
critical look at some of the resolutions they sup-
port at international conferences.
The resolution under discussion must be ex-
punged from the records of the UN . . .
After three years of rupture of diplomatic re-
lations between Israel and Africa, we are no nearer
a resolution than before it. If anything, those Afri-
can states that used to have any influence on Israel
on the Middle East problem have lost that oppor-
tunity to the detriment of peace and justice.
The only way to reverse this dangerous trend
is for the Third World to review the whole Middle
East problem in its right perspective. Towards this
end I am proposing that the next OAU summit to be
held in Mauritius should revoke its 1973 resolution
making a break in diplomatic relations with Israel
mandatory, and leave the issue to the discretion of
each OAU member state . . .
Whether we like it or not the Middle East is at
war, and I am yet to be told of any war in world
history in which one party is forced to make con-
cessions before a peace treaty has been concluded.
Why should Israel be made, in fact forced, to
make major'concessions before the Arabs will be
prepared to sit down and talk peace?
Our national interest demands that Ghana
should restore diplomatic relations with Israel.
Africa must take a second look at the Middle East.
Other similar expressions of friendship for Israel and
protest against the Arabs' warmongering pressures were
heard from other quarters. Few have so far been as
courageous as the author of the article in Ghanaian Echo.
Now it must be asked: will the Africans who were friends
with Israel restore their countries to reason, common sense,
a sense of justice and a trek to a revived civilized spirit?
The tragedies that are developing in South Africa
are not helping the situation. Because of the inter-
change of commercial enterprises between Israel and
South Africa and the sale of ships and plaries by Israel
to the Vorster government, there also developed the
accusation that Israelis are actively assisting whites
in the anti-black racial struggles. Such excessive and
unprovable charges add to the agonies of a terror-
-
laden condition in an inflamed part of the world
the mounting tensions acid to rather than detract f.
miseries.
Egyptians Learn the Lesson
A highjacking in Egypt ended without harm to the 100
passengers on the Egyptian plane. Paratroopers dressed as
mechanics overwhelmed the bandits and rescued the
hostages.
That's how a lesson from the Israelis who do not yield
to terror brought honor to Egypt.
Yet the Arabs are slow in recognizing the great menace
that stems from their ranks. They are silent when Israel is
endangered by terrorists and a threat to Jews is usually
applauded by them. But hijackers do not hesitate to
endanger the lives of their own-kin and co-religionists when
it is a matter of Libya hating Egypt, or Moslems in
fratricide with Christians in Lebanon.
When terror becomes a way of life and human values
are nullified, Jews may be the first targets but their fellow
men and neighbors of all faiths are not secure. Only when
decency is a basic right for all will all be free from the rule
of the jungle. It's time for Israel's neighbors to learn this
basic truth.
The Cottler Business Item:
A Store That Became a Legend
It isn't often that a business item assumes com-
munal significance. The leasing of the Dexter-Davison
Market to the Borman's Farmer Jack has that merit.
Norman Cottler created the enterprise which has
become legendary.
It all started with a corner fruit stand on Dexter
and Davison. It expanded, moved to Wyoming and
then to its present location on Coolidge.
The Cottler aura gave special significance to these
markets. They were often meeting places for -house-
wives. It was the Jewish marketing center with a trad-.
ition for availability of the specialties and necessities
for the kitchen and festive meals that were marked by
kashrut.
The Cottler name was a household word. It Will
Jong be remembered.
Increasing Numbers of Christian Tourists
Making Pilgrimages to Holy Land Shrines
JERUSALEM — More
than 80,000 American
Christians will visit Is-
rael this year according
to the Israel Ministry of
tourism.
There has been a sig-
nificant increase in the
number of pilgrims that
visit the Holy Land. "This
would seem to indicate
that there is a strong and
growing market in the
American pilgrim, - said
Israel Zuriel, commis-
sioner of tourism' for
North America.
Many travel agents
have seen this potential
and have put together
tours that would appeal
to the pilgrim. The rise in
the number of pilgrimage
tours has been most sig-
nificant from the South
Will Third World Nations
and Midwest, but there
End Antagonism to Israel?
remains a large market
Israel has done very much to assist a number of yet to be tapped, said
uri e 1.
undeveloped nations in Africa and in Asia. Thousands of
of
Ministry
The
Africans had studied in Israel-and thousands of Israelis had
gone to their countries to assist them industrially, Tourism has received
many letters from pil-
agriculturally, scientifically and culturally.
grims who have been to
Arab pressures, especially during and after the Yom
Israel suggesting that
Kippur War, interrupted these friendships. Instead of
tours- be broadened to -in-
amity there was bitterness.
clude the modern Israel
as well as Biblical and
historical sites.
In response, Zuriel
noted that "A crowded
schedule that speeds the
visitor from one church or
archeological site to
another is not the only
way to serve the visitor's
interests."
He said there are a
number of sites that are
musts for the Christian
visitor, such as those in
the Old City ofJerusalem,
Bethlehem, Nazareth.
and Galilee.
However, a visit to the
Knesset, the lad Vashem
Memorial, a religious
'kibutz, or even a night in
.Tel Aviv at a show or con-
cert by the Israel
Philharmonic, can be
added to many tours.
C
.• Irv„,
0
^:10,44atiofra
,
Christian tourists are shown visiting the ruins of the ancient synagogue of
Capernaum by the Sea of Galilee during the Easter holiday. According to tradi-
tion, Jesus taught here. A total of 95,000 tourists of all faiths visited Israel during
the 1976 Easter season.