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)