2 Friday, October 5, 1979
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Purely Commentary
A Duty for All Libertarians, Christians and Jews,
to Give Emphasis to the Theme of Zionism as Basic
Principle in Judaism, Inerasable From Justice, Freedom
By Philip
Slomovitz
This Is the Time for All Libertarians to Rally Against Abuses of Zionist Ideology
Israel's enemies have gone a bit too far in demagoguery and in an effort to drag
libertarian principles into the gutter. It won't work. President Carter has shown his
courage in defense of justice with his condemnation of the renewed attempts to link
Zionism with racism.
Let it be stated, bluntly, unequivocally: Zionism IS Judaism, Judaism IS Zionism.
No matter what those who are brandishing PLO weapons may say, let them be the able
actors or the eloquent demaogues, the great libertarian movement is unmatched in its
aim to elevate the ideal of freedom to the highest levels of human decency.
There are enemies on many fronts. Would that the misguided in Jewish ranks could
understand the injustice both of undermining Israel and harming the great cause that
precipitated the emergence of Jewish independence in the Land of Israel.
This is a time to call to judgment an eminent Jewish leader who recently, in an
address in Jerusalem, offered a definition of what he termed the New Zionism. Max M.
Fisher, as general chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, proclaimed:
Zionism is the 20th century expression of our waiting, yearning, and
.
searching for meaning as a people. It is the hope for restoration in the land
of our fathers; the hope of reuniting our people from the four corners of the
earth. Zionism is the essence of our 20th century Judaism. It is an expres-
. sion of that wondrous intangible something that binds us together.
It is not really a New Zionism. It is an established principle of justice and decency.
The Fisher statement concluded:
The roots of these hopes and dreams reach back 4,000 years to Genesis,
The Ghosts in the Polling
Booths: Bandying the Jewish
Voter in Electoral Scheming
If politics has strange bedfellows, its application (con-
tortion?) to the Jewish voter becomes a ghostly apparition.
The "Daniels come to judgment" in the media already
portray the imaginary (?) Jewish voter as a ghost stalking
•
the arena.
A cleric-author, writing in an important newspaper of
the black community, suggested a formula, undoubtedly
innocently, about Jewish-money-over-black-votes.
Jimmy Carter is certain to dominate headlines in the
months to come, and Teddy Kennedy will be his closest
competitor for space in newspapers and periodicals and for
echoes on radio and television. Then the expectant GOP
candidates will get their share. The Middle East will have a
role. Arms and the Russian involvement will not be ig-
nored. Commentators and reporters will start counting the
`votes of blacks and whites, the ethnic groups, the religious
and the irreligious.
James Reston has already done some speculating in
the New York Times. In an essay entitled "Carter's Abiding
Optimism," Reston mentioned the possible opposition
forces to the President's re-election and then brought in the
name of John Connally. He judged the possibilities vis-a-
vis Connally's candidacy and the Jewish reactions to him,
thus:
-The one thing that seems to concern them is
-
what they think is a longing in the country for a
"strong leader" — some big splashy handsome
guy who could make the Congress, the bureauc-
rats, the oil sheiks, the Israelis and the Russians
"shape up" and restore the primacy of the United
States in the political, military and commercial
conflicts of the world. In short, somebody like
John Connally of Texas, who is not like anybody
else.
The Carter intimates recognize this "leader-
ship issue" as their major problem, and if I hear
them accurately, regard Connally as their major
threat. They are concerned about their own pub-
lic opinion soundings that "Jimmy Carter is a
good man, but . . ." Maybe too understanding, too
"nice" to everybody, too "good' to be President in
a bad and savage world.
Connally's name thus drawn into the discussion, it
is necessary to give attention to an Israeli viewpoint. An
editorial comment in the Jerusalem Post headlined "Con-
' nally's Conclusion," had this to say about the Republican
". candidate:
Should the U.S. disregard its commitment to
Israel, and start talking to the PLO though ,that
organization has not ever deigned to pay the
merest lip service to Resolution 242?
A growing number of leading Americans ap-
pears to have already given an affirmative an-
swer to this question. The best known among
them is perhaps Andrew Young, the departing
U.S. ambassador to the UN, who may soon be-
come the top American chamvion of the Palesti-
nian cause.
Another one is George W. Ball, under secretary
of state under Presidents Kennedy and (for a
while) Johnson, author of the charming idea of
saving Israel "in spite of herself." In an article this
week (early September) Mr. Ball has urged the
Carter Administration to disengage itself from
"Kissinger's self-denying ordinance regarding
the PLO," or run the risk of losing Arab oil.
where we read that Jacob, Father of the House of
Israel, dreamed of a future where his people would be
a model for all mankind. "Behold the ladder is set up
on earth, but its top reaches toward heaven." Jacob
may not have reached the top, but despite adversity,
frustration, and seeming obstacles, he never ceased
reaching out. Jacob never -stopped dreaming. He
never stopped believing. For he had a vision of what is
possible. So it is with us! We too can reach out. We too
can dream, and inspire our children and generations
to come .. .
FISHER
Let's continue dreaming together, because the
way of the House of Israel is the way of striving to achieve what others failed
to accomplish and striving to attain human perfection. This is why we go on
dreaming and praying and thinking and working for our noble cause. This
is the essence of our Judaism, of our very being. This is our destiny.
There can be no deviation from the ideals pursued in Zionist libertarianism. There
must be no flinching about it. There is only the determined will of the People Israel,
abetted by the Christians who will not yield to guttersniping, asserting the justice of a
great cause. Jews must be first to defend justice. With thanks to President Carter, the
Christian mobilization in defense of a great ideal is now anticipated. It is in this fashion
that justice can be proclaimed as a demonstration of fairness for all. It is in this fashion
that Jewish-Arab friendships must be anticipated. It is in this fashion that peace must s
come in defiance of demagoguery and in rejection of bigotry.
candidate will be compelled by common decency to adhere
This company has now been joined by John
to: that of rejecting terrorism and supporting Israel. Will
Connally, a former Democratic governor of Texas
there be a newly developing irresponsible black clique that
and a serious contender for the Republican
will interfere with national policy and a Third World-
nomination for president. In a speech in Florida,
Communist bloc to make oil threats a factor in the cam-
he has suggested that while it might be premature
paign? The average American usually judges wisely and
to recognize the PLO, it is important for the U.S. to
the candidates will surely s know how to react.
open a dialogue with it in order to help solve the
President Carter spoke out courageously in New York
Palestinian problem.
a few days ago in his condemnation of efforts to brand the
What Mr. Connally has done is unprecedented
great Zionist libertarian movement as racist. Perhaps the
in the annals of American politics during the past
other candidates will be good learners.
several decades.
Until 'now, it has been the uniform practice of
A Very Lame Explanation
presidential candidates to actively woo the
for
Giving PLO Supporter
Jewish vote, by presenting themselves as better
Role as Holocaust Survivor
friends of Israel than the incumbent president.
Conally has for all the world given up on the
CBS is defending the choice of a PLO supporter in a
Jewish vote.
major role as portrayer of a survivor from Nazism. In spite
With his background in Texas oil, and his rock-
of protests, including those of the survivor to be portrayed,
ribbed conservatism, Mr. Connally would not, it is
CBS- adopts a sanctimonious attitude in its defense.
true, have been in any case an especially attrac-
Writing in behalf of CBS, Marjorie Holyoak, director,
tive candidate for American Jews, even at a time
audience services, has written an explanatory letter assert-
of Jewish disenchantment with President Carter.
ing:
Perhaps, on the other hand, Mr. Connally believes
We sincerely regret that you find the casting of
that he could win some support among the blacks,
Vanessa Redgrave n the role of Ms. Fenelon to be
who are also not his most natural constituency, by
insensitive. It was certainly not our intent either
taking their side against the Jews.
to denigrate . the victims of the Holocaust, or to
What is obvious is that Mr. Connally, whose
offend the Jewish community. However, we can-
political astuteness is not in question, is starting
not agree that Ms. Redgrave's political views
out on the premise that he can defy Jewish opin-
should have been taken into consideration. They
ion because Israel's reputation among the U.S.
were not a factor in the decision; it was based
people as a whole is on the skids.
solely on her outstanding abilities as a dramatic
This may be a misreading of the facts. Israel still
actress. Ms. Redgrave was proposed for the role
outpolls the PLO three to one as a true seeker of
by Linda Yellen, the producer of "Playing for
peace, and even the blacks have not yet indicated
Time," and Arthur Miller, who wrote the
any clear preference for the PLO over Israel in a
screenplay.
recent Gallup poll. Yet only a few years ago all but
Ms. Redgrave's participation in this film has the
the tiniest handful of Americans, including the
support of a number of respected members of the
blacks, would simply have turned their noses at
creative community, many of whom are them-
the PLO. Which may suggest a trend.
selves Jewish. Miller has been quoted as saying,
So, apparently, Mr. Connally believes. And the
"anti-Jewish, anti-Israeli fanaticism will take no
mere fact that he does ought to set some heads in
heart from this film. Thus, if this attack is solely
Jerusalem a-thinking.
upon her past views and actions it ought to stop
short, it seems to me, at trying to drive her out of a
It is surprising, and puzzling, that the shrewd Texas
role which can only lift the sufferings of the Jews,
politician should have blundered into the PLO sympathiz-
especially of Jewish women, to a new ground of -
ers' ranks. But when Connally was first introducing him-
self as a ,candidate, Max M. Fisher, the esteemed Republi-
understanding."
Ms. Redgrave has said that she considers her
can spokesman, was at his side on at least one occasion.
role in "Playing for Time" to be "a very great
Max would not condone pro-PLOism. Therefore the ques-
honor" and "the most important piece of work
tion will be tackled vigorously.
that I could try to do." We believe that she will
Meanwhile, the extra newsprint is being ordered for
bring to the role of Fania Fenelon the compassion,
the many pages of copy to be written about the politicians
respect and insight for which she has won distinc-
and the 1980 election. Some will count Jewish votes, some
will count their money; and the issues to spring up will
tion in the past.
include PLO, Arabs and Jews; and many will be madder
It is, of course, encouraging to know that CBS is sensi-
than hell. Most, eventually, will vote according to party
tive
to the issue. Yet, the error has been committed.
lines, placing trust in party platforms to be heralded at the
There is to remember: Vanessa Redgrave personally
national conventions. Then the planks referring to participated in demonstrations against Israel engineered
Jerusalem and some of Israel's rights will be shelved. Then -by the PLO. She knew their actions stemmed from the aim
there will either be Carter in the White House to be
watched and listened to, or an opponent equally to be of destroying Israel.
Of course, she can enact the role of the woman who was
watched and listened to. And for the news media and the
commentators it will be a heyday, especially if the Jew will the victim of Nazi bestialities. The portrayal will surely be
be an object for discussion. For: isn't it always true that a good one. But knowing the actress impersonating the
sufferer from the Nazi terror it will establish the fact that it
Jews ARE News!!
is a hypocritical act. This is what is basically protested. _
An item inerasable from the political discussions will
The memories of the victims of the Nazi bestialities
be Israel's needs and the:threats of her enemies. PLO and
must
not be disgraced. The portrayal of the horrors should
the Palestinians will not be ignored. The practical cam-
paigner will know how to differentiate between Arabs- be marked by dignity and respect for the sufferers and for
Palestinians and the PLO-mass-murdering-terrorists. historic truth. CBS could 'have, sbould have, averted its
None will be able to shun responsibility for a viewpoint the error of choir -' and judgment.