4. t
• • s
2 Friday, November 23, 1979
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Purely Commentary
Christian Voices Are Not Silenced in the Critical Period
for Israel and the Peace of the World . . . To Frank Littell
and Associates Goes the Gratitude of All Libertarians
By Philip
Slomovitz
Iran now opens up the possibility of Iran becoming a nally offends the vast majority of Americans who abhor
direct military threat to Israel, even should Iran es- prejudice and who, in the new field trekked by Connally,
take pride in the idea of church-state separation.
cape becoming a Soviet satellite. South Yemen is al-
Apparently it is too late now for Connally to learn
ready a Russian base. Oman, which is one of the three
When Zionism struggled for a foothold for the sufferers
anything cogent about the American people.
from anti-Semitism even in so-called enlightened coun- Arab countries (Sudan, Morocco and Oman) support-
tries, and in the 1930s and 1940s for havens for sufferers i ng the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty controls the
from the Holocaust, American Christians spoke courage- Strait of Hormuz — through which passes half of the The Political Candidates
Western world's oil and 80% of Japan's supplies.
ously in behalf of the great libertarian tasks of the Jewish
Oman. is now subject to growing assaults from a ter- and Their Jewish Supporters
national movement.
There is normality in Jewish participation in political ,
The American Christian Palestine Committee has an rorist group, trained and equipped by the same rejec-
-
campaigns.
historic record in the experiences of Christian Zionist ac- tionist states which support the PLO.
In the coming weeks and months, prominent Jews will
Terrorism is an international problem. Israel has
tivities. The roll call of such notables is a most impressive
record of humanism. Dr. Carl Hermann Voss was among been one of the few countries that has shown intelli- announce their preferences.
President Carter had his supporters who are eminen,.
the leaders in those efforts and he continues his activities to gence and determination in meeting the challenge of
this day. The American-Israel Friendship League cur- those who strive to destroy societies governed by re- in many ranks.
Senator Kennedy will surely welcome the "consequen-
rently has a great role in mobilizing Christian support for publican principles.
* * *
tial" who will wish to join his ranks.
Israel.
Maxwell Rabb, who was one of President Eisenhower's
The current edition of the America-Israel Friendship
The heightened intensity of terrorist aspirations
League publication, entitled "Honor the Promise," contains at this point, however, manifests a deeper truth. The closest advisers in the White House, and Jacques
the evidence of these superb efforts.
handwriting is on the wall. The possibility that their Torczyner, world Zionist leader, have asserted themselves
An editorial in this publication by Dr. Franklin H.
intransigent negation of Israel's right to live will be as supporters of Ronald Reagan.
Gordon Zacks, who has played important roles in na-
Littell, professor of religion at Temple University,
undercut is real. The increased virulence of the PLO
Philadelphia, who is president of the National Christian and its cohorts is the predictable concomitant of the tional United Jewish Appeal and Council ofJewish Federa-
Leadership Conference for Israel, attests to the labors of the
milestones already being passed on the road to peace. tions ranks and now is in top leadership of the Zionist
Christian supporters of the Zionist ideal. Under the title
How ironic it is that some Christians — even lead- Organization of America, is in the George Bush bailiwick.
Apropos these developments, this interesting note ap-
"Why Christians Support Israel," Prof. Littell wrote:
ers in major denominations — should be lending their
Christian commitment to Israel rests upon one or support, not to the forces which make for peace, but peared in the Periscope page of Newsweek magazine under
both of two supports. First, many Christians take the rather to the forces which in reality constitute a re- the heading "Teddy Woos the Jews:"
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy seems determined to
Biblical promises seriously. They read that God has arguard action dedicated to nihilism and destruction.
convince American Jews that he is a better friend
made an unbreakable covenant with a certain people,
Nevertheless, the vast majority of American
of Israel than Jimmy Carter. Kennedy recently
people whom he called out of slavery to fulfill a spe- Christians still support Israel's quest for a genuine
sent Prime Minister Menahem Begin a personal
cial-purpose in human history. Under this covenant peace in the Middle East and continue to affirm their
letter, hand-delivered by Washington lawyer
the people are wedded in "holy matrimony" to a "holy commitment to her survival. The National Christian
Mike Feldman, who was President John Ken-
Land." People, covenant, promised land comprise a Leadership Conference for Israel is dedicated to
nedy's assistant counsel and liaison to Israel.
unity in Israel, and Israel is unique: "Behold a people enhance the work of those Christians. Through its
In the letter, Teddy pledged his full support for
standing alone and not numbered among the nations educational programs and through the efforts and
Israel's welfare and security within secure and
prayers of its members, the NCLCI seeks to be a part
of the earth."
recognized borders. He also praised the Israeli-
Second, many Christians value Israel as the only of the authentic movement toward peace which is the
Egyptian peace treaty and endorsed the U.S. pol-
nation in the Middle East which attempts to maintain hope and longing of the peoples both of the Middle
icy of refusing to deal with the Palestine Libera-
the delicate balance of liberty and self-government East and of the United States.
tion OrganizatiOn as long as the PLO refuses to
which secures the dignity and integrity of the human
It is a lengthy message but it needs to be shared widely.
recognize the existence of Israel. But if Kennedy is
person. All other governments in the area are either Dr. Littell represents the Haidei Umot HaOlam, the
hoping for some signal of support from Jerualem,
tribal despotisms or modern dictatorships.
saintly among the nations of the world, in his dedication to
he's out of luck. Begin is so determined to avoid
* * *
tasks in Israel's defense, and his voice is among the sounds
taking sides in the Presidential campaign that he
Governments using totalitarian methods to con- of glory in a world of despair and horror.
won't visit the U.S. again until after the 1980 elec-
The
National
Christian
Conference
for
Israel
has
to
, trol their own population and to wage war on others
tion.
sometimes acquire the facade of "democracy" be- overcome many obstacles in efforts to assure widespread
The Kennedy ranks gained a strong adherant this
cause they may for a time — through populist move- Christian support for Israel. The obstructionists in the Na- week in the person of Meyer Feldman. As one of the closest
tional
Council
of
Churches
have
created
a
problem
for
the
ments, overheated propaganda, or simple blood-lust
associates of the late president John Kennedy in the White
— enjoy popular support. This was true of the Nazi philo-Semitic elements in America. A pro-Arab attitude
House staff, Feldman was the chief contact man between
negates
the
claims
of
even-handedness,
because
an
even-
rule in Germany (1934-1943), and it is true of several of
the President and his administration and Israel and the
the governments of the Arab League today. Neverthe- ness would provide for factual considerations and for
Jewish community.
less, their inherent instability was again made clear strongest support for the peace efforts now in progress. Dr.
The John Connally manipulations continued to gain
-Littell
and
his
associates
have
a
difficult
road
to
travel
in
by the recent ouster of President Bakr of Iraq and the
sensationalism
in the Texan's approaches to "Jewish inter-
accession to power of Vice President Hussein. De- exposing influences that destroy Christian-Jewish friend- ests" and Israel. In spite of his apparent flirting with pro-
ships.
Perhaps
the
combined
labors
ofJewish
and
Christian
spotisms and dictatorships are never as coherent as
Arabism he appeared at the City of Hope meeting in
they look, and societies that struggle to maintain the groups will serve to overcome the damage already done by
Pittsburg and sought favor with a statement opposing af-
difficult tension between liberties and popular sover- the National Council of Churches.
There is a Jewish role in these efforts: in the sphere of firmative action. It will add to his troubles is the ranks of
eignty are never as chaotic as they apppar to be.
appreciation
as well as participation. The identification of the blacks, and it won't help him too much with the over-
Observations such as these should be axioms,
whelming sentiments of liberalism among Jews.
one
man
must
be noted in this connection. At his own
memorized in youth and automatically informing
Competition will be rife and candidates' endorsers will
expense,
and
it
is
phenomenal,
the
New
Yorker
S.
Norman
adult decisions. Unfortunately, however, many
multiply. It'll be an interesting year.
people have not learned their "2x2's". Even religious Gourse has inserted advertisements in many newspapers
boards and agencies are sometimes so enamored of reprinting messages like Prof. Littell's. The latest, defining
their role as "even-handed" spectators that they make the Christian role, is among the paid-for messages inserted
The Oil Producers' Domination
no choice between a nation such as Israel — which in the New York Times and elsewhere by Gourse, as a
and the Danger from Blackmail
has, living on the knife-edge of destruction for thirty message to all Americans. They would not have been heard
otherwise.
Blessings
therefore,
to
the
saintly
Christians
An item in Parade, the Free Press Sunday magazine
years, kept republican practices alive — and a dic-
section, invites attention in this threatening era of domo-
tatorship such as Libya — for years recruiting, train- and to the Jewish supporters who give comfort to voices
nation by the oil producers. Parade carried this question
ing, equipping, and financing terrorists from Arafat sounded for justice and freedom.
and its proferred answer:
to Carlos.
Connally's Deviations From
Q. On July 4th this year when there were gas
The basic reality of Israel's struggle for existence Common Sense in Politics
lines in this country, King Khalid of Saudi Arabia
is the fact that, with the recent exception of Egypt, the
gave Jimmy Carter an "Independence Day gift"
In the CBS five-minute commercial, JOhn Connally
countries of the Arab League have been at ,war to
of one million-extra barrels of Saudi Arabian oil
destroy Israel since 1948. We speak of the four wars revealed himself in another role. Sanctimoniously, he said
per day. What was the deal? —V.L., Oak Park II
the little country has had to fight (and win) against he was "the candidate of the forgotten American . . . who
A. Diplomats believe that Khalid okayed
overwhelming odds. Actually, these have been major goes to church on Sunday and believes in prayer in schools."
extra allotment in return for an understanding
Now the American electorate can fully understand one
battles in a war that has been waged unabated and by
that the U.S.A. in its foreign policy would tilt
a variety of means: terrorist attacks on civilians and of the candidates for the Republican nomination for
towards the Palestine Liberation Organization
religious pilgrims in Israel; economic boycotts of President.
He had previously exposed himself on the Middle East
(PLO). Aware of the, deal, Andrew Young, our UN
firms doing business with Israel; assassinations of
ambassador, tried quietly to nurture it on his
moderate -Arab leaders; murder of Israeli officials, issue. Now he informs the American Jewish community,
own,
got himself caught in the wringer, had to
whose
position
on
the
Separation
of
Church
and
State
is
a
athletes and businessmen traveling overseas; attacks
resign. If the U.S. does not tilt towards the PLO,
on embassies and murder of diplomats friendly to unanimously established policy, that he doesn't give a
Khalid may reduce the Saudi Arabian oil allot-
Israel; and now, oil blackmail against countries main- damn about the idea of retaining a basic American princi-
ment to pre-July levels.
taining relations with Israel and against the United ple of rejecting the injection of religion in the social-.
This item suggests an admonition:
States itself and its long-term commitments to Israel. political spheres of this nation.
Beware of blackmail!
When
Connally
first
exposed
himself
as
an
embracer
of
The Arab League governments have threatened
The world is suffering from blackmailers. They have
the PLO, even though he attempted to shield himself under
pursue
President
Sadat
to
the
ends
of
the
earth
to
:
had free reign in many quarters. They have resorted to
his peace effort precisely because he broke up the cloak of impartiality and of endorsing justice for Pales-
hijacking, murder, intimidation, and in Iran they molested
tinians
while
declaring
himself
a
friend
of
Israel,
news
plan and timing for a fifth attack on Israel.
diplomats from a country that is traditionally friendly to
commentators interpreted his attitude as judging "the
The military threat against Israel is constant. Jewish vote" as "inconsequential."
the Persians.
''sin three months of its defeat in the last round
The free world will surely, in the course of time if not
That's not how the sensible politician approaches a
the Iraqi government, a military dictatorship
immediately, adopt measures that will serve as warnings
segment
of
the
population.
Sometimes
a
single
vote
is
con
, closely to the Soviet Union, had received more
that blackmail, accompanied by the terrors imposed on
Manes and tanks from the Russians than they had in sequential.
innocent people by blackmailers, will not be tolerated.
But a sensible politician also knows not to offend. Con
Christians to the Fore in the
Critical Period for Israel
•
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:
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lir.crc.1-11 sir
—The