Ironies of History
Repeating Themselves
The Tragedies
in Iran
THE JEWISH NEWS
Novosti's Distortions
About Human Right
in U.S., Israel
*
Limitations Statute
Under Scrutiny
A Weekly Review
Commentary, Page 2
Tracking Down
Nazi Criminals
Books as Symbols
of Good Will
of Jewish Events
Editorials, Page 4
VOL. LXXV, No. 11 17 515 W. Nine Mile, Suite 865, Southfield, Mich. 48075 424-8833 $12.00 Per Year: This Issue 30c
.
May 18, 1979
Khomeini Pledge Draws Iran
Jewry Into Submissive Status
U.S. Arab Citizens
Influencing Churches
NEW YORK (JTA) — The presence of pro-Arab ele-
ments in key positions in a number of major American
Christian churches, coupled with the growth of Arab Mos-
lem communities in America, has created a formidable
source of anti-Israel as well as anti-Jewish attitudes in the
U.S., the American Jewish Committee was told this week.
Two studies of different aspects of the problem of anti-
Israel and anti-Jewish intrusions into American public
opinion were released at the AJCommittee's 73rd annual
meeting.
One of the studies, titled "Anti-Israel Influence in
American Churches," by Judith Banki, AJCommit-
tee's assistant director of interreligious affairs, indi-
cates that while public opinion polls show American
Christians to be more sympathetic to Israel than to
her Arab antagonists, an anti-Israel, pro-Arab atti-
tude has been much in evidence in certain segments of
American Christianity.
The study placed the major source of anti-Israel senti-
ment "among Protestant denominations with long-
standing involvement in missions to the Arab Middle East;
in churches and church-related groups engaged in aiding
Arab refugees; among certain left-wing 'liberationist'
ideologues; and in communions with predominantly Arab
constituencies, whether Catholic or Eastern Orthodox."
In these quarters, the report notes, champions of the
Arab cause often influence church policies and organiza-
tional resolutions far beyond their numbers, giving church
groups a pro-Arab "tilt" by constantly pressing for state-
ments critical of or detrimental to Israel.
"There is also a potent anti-Jewish legacy in Christian
tradition," the study observes, "which =sometimes comes
into play when Israel is being discussed; in such instances
anti-Israel sentiment takes on an anti-Jewish coloration."
A second source of anti-Israel sentiment within
the churches is the current ideology, sometimes re-
ferred to as "liberation theology," which calls upon
Christians to identify with oppressed peoples and
makes the active pursuit of racial, social, and eco-
nomic justice a religious obligation.
Anti-Israel sentiment is also fostered by some leaders
of American Arab Christian churches although not all
(Continued on Page 11)
U.S. Withdraws
Slaughter Ban
NEW YORK — A threat to the future
3hehita (kosher slaughter of animals)
et:s averted last week when intervention
" by Agudath Israel of America resulted in
the U.S. Department of Agriculture back-
ing down on a new regulation that it
sought to impose on the largest producer
of kosher beef in the country, Spencer
Foods of Spencer, Iowa.
Last month, the representative of the
Department of Agriculture in Iowa in-
sisted that cattle should be shot with a
bullet immediately after the incision is
made by the shohet. The government
representative claimed that it was neces-
sary to stun the animal in order to halt its
convulsive movements after the act of
shehita, which the USDA official
claimed exposed the animal to bacteria
from the mud-encrusted neighboring
steer.
(Continued on Page 10)
PARIS (JTA) — In an apparent effort to assuage the fears of Iran's
Jewish community, the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini met for an hour Mon-
day with six Jewish leaders at Khomeini's headquarters in the Moslem holy
city of Qom. The ayatollah urged Iran's 50,000 Jews to remain in the country,
Radio Teheran reported. It said that Khomeini told the delegation, which
included Teheran Chief Rabbi Yedediah Shofet, that the new Islamic regime
in Iran will follow the principal that "Islam has always protected the rights of
all minorities." Khomeini urged Jews to remain in Teheran and continue
working for the country's prosperity," the radio said.
The report also said that the Jewish delegation denounced "Zionist plots
against Iran" and pledged their loyalty to the new regime. Radio Teheran
said the delegation informed the Iranian religious leaders that Iranian Jews
HABIB ELGHANIAN
are "loyal and faithful citizens."
Observers believe the meeting was arranged to reassure the Jewish community following the execu-
tion last week of one of its leaders, Habib Elghanian. It was also seen as a means of attempting to reassure
public opinion in the U.S. and Western Europe.
Iranian sources told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency correspondent in Paris that Khomeini
personally approved Elghanian's execution- "as a warning to American and Zionist agents in
Iran."
White House official Edward Sanders, President Carter's liaison with the American Jewish Commu-
nity, told the American Jewish Committee national convention in New York that the Carter Administra-
tion "is shocked and saddened" by the executions in Iran and has made this view known to the franian
government."
Sanders' statement followed one made by State
Department spokesman Hodding Carter that while
"the implications" of Elghanian's execution "are dis-
turbing, the press reports indicate that Elghanian
was tried as an individual and not as a leader of the
NEW YORK — Dr. David Hyatt, the president of
Jewish community."
the National Conference of Christians and Jews, has
In broadcasting news of the execution, Teheran
endorsed a proposal by the American Friends of Anne
Radio played up Elghanian's "Zionist and Israeli
Frank Center to have the governors of all 50 states
connections" as the basis of his "crimes." Some Ira-
proclaim June 12 as Anne Frank Day.
nian Jews in Israel claimed Elghanian was probably
The date commemorates the 50th birthday of the
young Jewish girl who died in the Holocaust and who
executed as a symbol of the old regime and for close
has become an international heroine through her
ties to the ousted Shah of Iran.
book, "The Diary of Anne Frank," which has been
Jewish leaders throughout the world pro-
translated into 53 languages. Dr. Hyatt is a co-
tested Elghanian's execution, which came one
founder and member of the board of directors of the
hour after a day-long, secret trial. Some 1,100
New York-based American Friends.
persons attended a memorial service in New
_ The American Friends was organized last year to
York
last Friday and Sen. Jacob Javits (R-NY)
help support the Anne Frank Foundation and Center
called
for U.S. sanctions against Iran.
in Amsterdam — a two-building complex, including
Leon Dulzin, chairman of the World Zionist
the famous "annex" house where the Franks and
Organization and Jewish Agency Executives, told
another family hid for two years before being dis-
June 12 Named
Anne Frank Day
covered by the Nazis.
The Iran Nightmare Begions
(Editor's note: The following is the conclusion of a statement issued May 10
by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
after a prominent Iranian Jewish businessman was executed by the "revolu-
tionary" Islamic regime of Ayatollah Khomeini.)
Habib Elghanian died because he was a Jew. He faced the firing squad because he
was guilty of loving Israel, of buying a piece of land in the ancient homeland of the
Jewish people, of meeting with such men as Abba Eban and Moshe Dayan. No doubt he
raised money from his peers and gave money himself toward the upbuilding of the
Jewish state. No doubt he visited Israel and rejoiced at its progress. No doubt he prayed
for the peace of Jerusalem and for rain during Israel's dry season as do Jews the world
over.
If these are the standards by which life and death are measured in the revolutionary
courts of Iran, one can express only revulsion and horror— and profound foreboding for
the lives of the Jews who remain. For who is the Jew in Iran, or anyplace else in the
world, who does not have a friend or family in Israel, or who has not given a coin or a
check to help the people of Israel live in security and dignity and peace?
On April 24, in the rotunda of the Capitol, President Carter led a ceremony of
remembrance for the victims of the Holocaust. Recalling his visit to Yad Vashem, the
memorial in Jerusalem for the millions of Jews murdered by Hitler for being Jews, the
President said: TI vowed then, as people all over the world are doing this week, to
reaffirm our unshakable commitment that such an event will never recur on this earth
again."
Let us all keep that vow before it is too late.
(Continued on Page 6)
Red Cross Avoids
MDA Resolution
Special to The Jewish News
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The resolutions
committee of the 54th national conven-
tion of the American Red Cross rejected a
proposal Monday urging the Red Cross to
pursue recognition of Magen David Adom
by the International Red Cross and the
League of Red Cross Societies.
The proposal was submitted by Mark
Powers on behalf of the Harrisburg, Pa.
chapter of the Red Cross.
The resolution stated in part that
"Magen David Adom (Red Shield of
David Society of Israel) has met every
criteria for admission to the family of
Red Cross societies except for an ap-
proved emblem.
"For the past 31 years, repeated efforts
have been made to have the symbol of
Magen David Adorn take its rightful
(Continued on Page 10)