Tributes to
Prof. Zeitlin
and Sen. Hart
*
PLO's 'Gestures'
Exposed by Dialogue
Participant
Commentary.
Page 2
VOL. LXX, No. 18
HE JEWISH NEWS
A Weekly Review
f Jewish Events
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Editorials
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January 7, 1977
PLO Rejects Peace Movement's
Proposals for Israel Recognition
Easing of Syrian Jews'
Restrictions Disputed
NEW YORK — The American Jewish Congress
-has rejected as "totally without confirmation" reports
coming from Damascus alleging relaxation of the
treatment of Syrian Jews. "We wish the story were
ture," Rabbi Arthur Hertzberg, president of the Con-
gress, said in commenting on the news report.
Rabbi Hertzberg charged the report was "merely
another mirage generated by the current Arab 'peace
offensive.' " He stated: "These maneuvers are nothing
more than an elaborate propaganda strategy designed
to create the belief that Arab states are moderate and
_ concilatory, without requiring them to take any action
• to make real the illusions they seek to create. The
report from Damascus itself acknowledges that these
reports stem from Syrian Presi-
dents Assad's desire to win
propaganda advantage abroad
in anticipation of Arab-Israeli
peace talks.
"The best way for the Kuwaiti
story to be proved true would be
for Syrian Jews to arrive at the
borders of other countries. Un-
fortunately, no Jews have thus far
been_ permitted to leave Syria.
Until that happens, the life of Sy-
RABBI HERTZBERG rian Jews will remain as oppres-
sive, terror-stricken and perilous
as ever."
Rabbi Hertzberg concluded, "It is interesting that
discrimination that had been steadfastly denied is
now reportedly being 'ended' ".
Last weekend, Mrs. Charlotte Jacobson, chairman
of the World Zionist Organization-American Section,
and a former leadel' of Hadassah, seemed to confirm
the Kuwait newspaper story. She and 15 Hadassah
women arrived in Israel Friday via the Allenby Bridge
after concluding a controversial two-week tour of
Egypt, Syria and Jordan which was criticized by Is-
raeli officials.
Rep. Stephen Solarz (D-NY) said Wednesday that
he had been told by Syrian Jewish leaders during a
Middle East trip last month of the planned easing of
restrictions. But Solarz said there had been no change
in emigration restrictions.
TEL AVIV (JTA) - The Palestine Liberation Organization has flatly denied that any of its
representatives signed a document in Paris over the weekend affirming readiness to recognize
Israel as a Jewish Zionist state and to live in peace with it on the basis of the 1967 borders. The
purported document was shown to newsmen by Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Matityahu (Matti) Peled, chair-
man of the Israel Council for Israeli-Palestinian Peace.
Peled, who heads the department of Arabic studies at Tel Aviv University, claimed that he and
a "top PLO figure" who he did not identify both signed the document at a private meeting in Paris
Jan. 1. But Farouk Kadoumi-, head of the PLO's political section, promptly issued a denial that any
PLO personality had signed a document with Peled or had even met with him in Paris. The PLO
also issued a denial in Paris.
The denial was a severe blow to Peled's movement which includes MKs Arieh Eliav and Meir
Payil; Uri Avneri, publisher of Haolam Haze; and Dr. Jacob Arnon, former director general of the
Finance Ministry. All were present at the press conference where Peled hailed the document as an
"historic breakthrough."
Peled said that it represented the PLO's acceptance of his Peace Council's manifesto as a basis
for negotiations. The manifesto defines Israel as a Zionist state and calls for the establishment of a
Palestinian state on the basis of the 1967 borders with alterations to be agreed on by the two
parties. The PLO is ready to recognize Is-
rael on that basis, Peled told reporters.
Asked when the PLO would announce
its recognition, Peled said that Israel would
first have to announce its recognition of the
Palestinians' right to self-determination.
NEW YORK (JTA) — The Zionist Organization of
He said also that the PLO would amend its
America has called for "clarification" of the position of
covenant, which calls for the replacement of
Secretary of the Treasury-designate W. Michael Blu-
Israel by a secular state in Palestine, before
menthal on the Middle East and the Arab boycott of
peace negotiations were completed.
Israel on grounds that the Bendix Corp. which he
headed may have participated in-the boycott through
He said he was not surprised by the
one of its foreign subsidiaries.
nalists' skepticism
Rabbi Joseph P. Sternstein, president of the ZOA,
and that he ex-
said in a statement Tuesday that the organization
pected the Foreign
wanted clarification from--both Blumenthal and
Ministry to brand
President-elect Jimmy Carter "in light of the decisive
his Paris meeting a
voice Blumenthal can be expected to have in govern-
smokescreen de-
ment policy on the boycott, his reported continued
signed to mislead
association with the Bendix Corp. and the questions
the public. Other
raised by the employment policies of Bendix-Siyanco."
The latter is a foreign subsidiary, half-owned by
members of Peled's
Bendix and half by the Saudi Arabian government,
group admitted
which is under contract to supply the Saudian army with
that the Israeli
$67 million worth of training, support and materiel.
government had
According to Sternstein, "During the campaign,
not been consulted
President-elect Carter stated that as President he
or involved in the
would decisively oppose participation of American
Paris meeting
business firms in the Arab boycott. However, Blu-
though some said
menthal's record as chairman of a company which ag-
Boycott Clarification
Asked of Blumenthal
(Continued on Page 14)
(Continued on Page 16)
MATTI PELED
Jewish Braille Institute, Library for Blind Aid Handicapped
Congregational Activities Sinai Clinic
The staff of the Oakland County Library for the
Blind and Handicapped, based at the Farmington Public
Library on W. 12 Mile, are, from left, Christina Topalian,
Gary Foreman and Beverly Papai.
With a minimum of fanfare, laboring with a dedication that is marked as a
desire to assist the blind and the visually handicapped, scores of volunteers are
engaged in tasks not generally known yet provide a wide variety of services
unmatched for their effectiveness.
Braille classes and Braille inscribed books, magazines and documents, includ-
ing prayerbooks and Scriptural works are regularly prepared for use in
synagogues and by volunteer groups on an interdenominational basis.
The concept of volunteerism, in aid provided for the visually handicapped, is
proudly described as being unique in this country and as a blessing for those who
depend upon recordings and Braille transcriptions.
Federally-funded projects are vital in the activities for the fully or near-blind.
At the Farmington (Mich.) Public Library a specially-trained staff operates
the Oakland County Library for the Blind and Visually Handicapped. From that
library scores — hundreds! — of books and recorded magazines go forth to the
hundreds who are served with reading material played on recording machines
DR. JACOB FRIED
made available by the Library of Congress with special grants from the U.S.
(Continued on Page 56)
Memoir of Dr. Abraham Nemeth,
U. of D. Mathematician, on Page 56
The Stoic Story of A Remarkable Blind Professor