2 Friday, Asyut 4, 1918
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Purely Commentary
The Socially-Politically Popular U.S.. Senatorial
Candidacy of Carl Levin, the Background Marked by
Noted Family Record . . . Sen. Percy's Aid for El Al
By Philip
Slomovitz
The Socially-Politically-Minded Levins ... This Community's Family of Many•Achievements
Carl Levin is not the first of his family to be a front-runner. His brother attained that
distinction. A cousin made his mark politically. An uncle's social-mindedness led his to a
high role in a non-political judicial role.
The family of Levins rose to high positions in Michigan meritoriously. This branch of
the Levites had not come to Michigan until the turn of the second decade of the century.
But they established enviable records in the social services of the Jewish Welfare
Federation and its predecessor, the United Jewish
Charities.
The first to establish seniority in leadership, approach-
ing the patriarchal, Theodore Levin gained national recog-
nition among the most respected members of the judiciary.
As an appointee of President Harry S. Truman, he was
non-political. The popularity of the name came into evi-
dence with the election of his son Charles to Michigan's
highest court.
Political successes for the Levins did not start with
Charles. His cousins had already risen in popularity in this
state. Sander Levin was elected to the State Senate and
twice won the Democratic nomination for the governorship.
His brother Carl rose to the presidency of the Detroit City
Council. Their father, Saul R. Levin, like his brother Theo-
dore, was socially-communally-minded. He was a leader in
the Zionist youth movement Young Judaea. He was Consul
of the Republic of Honduras.
It should be noted that Joseph Levin, the youngest son of
the late Judge Theodore Levin, also has politcal ambitions,
CARL LEVIN
having been a candidate for the U.S. House of Representa-
tives.
Now the name Carl Levin looms high as a front-runner
for the U.S. Senate. He must beat five other contenders for the Democratic nomination to
be his party's challenger of the incumbent Robert Griffin, who still must win the
Republican nomination in quest for re-election.
Carl Levin now wears the mantle of progenitors of a highly esteemed family.
As the candidate in the limelight at this time, Carl Levin characterizes a family of high
respect in the civic and Jewish communities. As a member of the Detroit City Council and
until this year as president of the City Council, Levin earned a national reputation as a
leader in the civil rights movement, as a fearless spokesman for the downtrodden, as a
student of public affairswho possesses a sense of justice.
He follows a family tradition of association with the synagogues and in one sense he
even adds to that devotion. He was responsible for the rebuilding of an historic synagogue
site with the establishment in the downtown area of the T'chiyah congregation and he
serves it as a Gabai, as a venerable official.
Levin conducts a good campaign and he gives new status to the family name with the
dignity with which he pursues a political ambition.
Politicians Who Do Their Homework Well
There is this to be said for Carl Levin: he is among the politicians who do their
homework well. He proved it at the Senatorial candidates' meeting at the Shaarey Zedek
at which the Middle East issue was aired, the candidates speaking frankly about the
American obligations to Israel with a concern about impending dangers to the peace of
mankind.
There is need not only for homework by the aspirants to high offices but also for
guidance for them so that there should be an elimination of misunderstandings. Too
much false propaganda is on the market. It's easy to set up a scapegoat who should be a
medium for hatred and antagonism toward Israel. The facts must predominate. There is
an obligation to keep men in public office fully informed and always to be urged to strive
for the truth and to make an appeal for proper homework on the issue as effective as
possible.
Sen. Percy's Role in U.S.-Israel
Agreement on El Al Status
the protests of U.S. flag carriers to allow Freddie
Laker's low-fare Skytrain to begin operations from
this country to London. Mr. Kahn placed the interests
An interesting chapter in aviation policies involving in- of consumers who want lower fares to Europe ahead
of mere protectionism.
ternational agreements was written last week.
While the new bilateral civil aviation decisions which
resulted in the addition of two additional gateways for El
Al, Chicago and Los Angeles having been chosen, had
lasted for three weeks, the dispute over El Al's rights lasted
for some years. The new agreement replaces the earliest
one made in 1950.
The fact is that there were suspicions of political pres-
sures, assumedly from Arab quarters and .anti-Israeli
Third World elements, to deny Israel her just rights in
in operating her airline. Now that the issue has been resol-
ved it will be interesting to review the history of a conflict
between nations over an airline that has acquired much
popularity. •
Because he had contributed perhaps more than any other
man in government in acquiring the coveted rights for El
Al, the role of U.S. Senator Charles Percy of Illinois must be
considered with appreciation in Jewish ranks.
It will be recalled that several years ago Sen. Percy was
subjected to criticism in his own state of Illinios and na-
tionally for comments he had made on Israel. They were
interpreted as antagonistic and Percy insisted that they
were realistic. He proved his sincerity in the campaign he
conducted in support of El Al's claims and his views are
especially impressive in a letter he had written on June 14
to Secretary of State Cyrus Vance. A major portion of that
letter merits widest circulation as an appreciation of what
had been achieved in the rights gained by El Al. Sen. Percy
wrote to the Secretary of State:
We are not the only nation to alter its policy during
the past year. I understand that the Israeli govern-
ment has already informally communicated an im-
portant projected change in policy that includes:
An "open sides" policy. Both scheduled and charter
operators would be able to land in any point in Israel
or the United States. This removes one of the major
obstacles to negotiations by permitting charters from
the 47 states currently excluded by Israel.
Low fares. Airlines would be able to set fares at the
level they desire. This deregulation of air fares should
lead to various innovative standby, advance purch-
ase, and regular air fares that will make travel to
Israel more affordable to those wishing to travel on
TWA or El Al.
In return, Israel is asking for landing rights in
Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and Boston, and addi-
tional cities which El Al may designate later. I under-
stand that El Al wants to provide Boeing 747 one-stop
service to Chicago via Montreal or Boston; 747 one-
stop service to Miami via Madrid; and 747 one-stop
service to Los Angeles via Amsterdam or London.
And, sometimes, as the plane descends across the
Israeli coastline, the cabin breaks out in song as Heb-
rew folk songs ring out over the public address sys-
tem.
Additionally, El Al has an impeccable safety and
security record which must be an important consid-
eration to any traveler heading to the.Middle East.
Safeguards range from rigorous pre-flight clearance
checks to the use of armed escorts.
I am sure that many of my constituents, who live in
Chicago and in suburbs near O'Hare International
Airport, would use this new service by El AI, if ap-
proved. Some have relatives and friends in Israel.
Most simply want to tour and understand the country
and its daring people. Already 35,000 to 40,000 Illinois
residents travel to Israel every year. The Chicago and
Waukegan City Councils and the Illinois legislature
have passed resolutions favoring the new service. .
Approval would clearly strengthen the Israeli
economy which is heavily dependent on Western
tourism. Israel today is considered one of the out-
standing tourist attractions in the world to both those
making a pilgrimage to the Judeo-Christian holy
places and to those wishing only a relaxing vacation.
A large segment of the Jewish population of 350,000 in
the Midwest would undoubtedly be drawn to the new
service, as well as hundreds of thousands of Christ-
ians who wish to visit the holy land.
Approval of new multiple landing rights for El Al
The Israeli proposal for additional landing points
is understandably important to many Illinois and
Midwest citizens who have religious and cultural ties should also help provide more jobs for American
Because of this country's special relationship to Is- to Israel. Currently, air service to Israel is needlessly workers. I understand that if the U.S. government
rael, and because of the importance of these negotia- difficult from Chicago and other cities. It usually approves these added landing sites, El Al will proceed
tions, I urge you to become personally involved. Your means flying to New York City in order to transfer to to purchase three Boeing 747's together with spare
involvement would demonstrate to both the Israeli an El Al wide-bodied nonstop flight to Israel. For el- parts, worth approximately $165 million. Israel al-
and the American people that our government is just derly passengers, this New York stop can be espe- ready is negotiating with McDonnell-Douglas and
as concerned about planes of peace as we are with cially gruelling because it may mean a time- Lockheed for the purchase of new intermediate-range
planes of war — planes of peace not armed with roc- consuming bus ride and luggage transfer between La jet equipment for its service to Europe, Iran, and
kets but instead bearing goodwill and friendship.
Guardia and Kennedy Airports. The only U.S. flag South Africa.
The time has now come to open an aerial bridge to carrier servicing Israel — TWA — stops in Athens en
The Star of David painted on the tail of El Al's jumbo
Israel — not just from New York City — but from route. It uses narrow-bodied Boeing 707 equipment, jets will be a welcome sight in the skies over Met-
every principal city in the United States, including which is clearly less-favored by passengers in com- ropolitan Chicago and other major U.S. cities, if these
parison
with
the
wide-bodied
jets,
according
to
a
re-
Chicago in my own state of Illinois. Such a bridge will
negotiations are successfully concluded. An aerial
strengthen the philosophical, religious, and commer- cent survey taken by the Airline Passengers Associa- bridge of peace will have been established, cementing
cial ties between the two nations. At this time, more tion. A 1977 survey showed that 70.2 percent of pas- the democratic and Judeo-Christian ties that link our
than ever, Israel must be shown that we will go that sengers surveyed preferred the 747 while only 2.7 per- two countries.
extra mile to build these bridges and not dismantle cent preferred the 707.
Because of my personal interest in the successful
them.
It is clear that many of my own constituents prefer
Since 1968, I have been personally attempting to El Al because of their pride in traveling aboard an outcome of these negotiations, I would like to have a
representative
of my staff observe the negotiating
convince the State Department to grant additional airline that embodies the achievements and hopes of
landing rights in Chicago for El Al. However, because Israel — an airline that is imbued with an heroic and sessions. I understand that various trade, labor, and
public
interest
groups already have been awarded
of protectionist policies of both governments, El Al dependable tradition. I understand, for instance, on
has been limited to serving the United States through eastbound flights over the North Atlantic, not un- such observer status. I would also appreciate a timely
response
to
the
concerns
I have outlined, prior to the
commonly at least ten orthodox Jewish men (the
the New York gateway.
President Carter has stated that, in negotiating in- minimum required for a religious service) gravitate to start of these renewed negotiations.
ternational air transport agreements, instead of trad- the aft section of the 747 and don their _prayer shawls
Thus, an interesting chapter has been added to aviation
and phylacteries to greet the rising sun seven miles and Jewish history. Sen. Percy's involvement will be cre-
ing restriction for restriction, we should trade oppor-
tunity for opportunity. This policy has been bril- over the earth, with traditional morning prayers. At dited with having overcome obstacles and with having
liantly and boldly implemented by CAB Chairman times Torahs or Biblical scrolls — a sacred symbol to ended fears about political interference with justice.
Alfred Kahn. It was Chairman Kahn who cast aside the Jewish people — are cradled through the aisles.