4411.1 11.1.1
111
No Simple Solution for Peace
By ALON BEN-MEIR
ST. LOUIS — Many polit-
ical commentators would
like us to believe that if Is-
rael would only abjure its
settlement policy and rec-
ognize the PLO, peace
would then be at hand. This
proposition, which disre-
gards a wide range of com-
plex issues surrounding the
Arab-Israeli conflict, re-
sults from a gross over-
simplification of the situa-
tion and represents a clear
demonstration of political
naivete.
However, regardless of
the motives behind Prime
nister Begin's settlement
Icy, one fact is unques-
tionably evident: the set-
tlement issue has not been,
and will not be, the only obs-
tacle to peace.
Any student of Arab his-
tory can find overwhelming
evidence to demonstrate
that the Israeli settlements
. and more important, Is-
rael's existence, are largely
irrelevant to the achieve-
ment of peace in the Middle
East. Perennially volatile
conditions in the Arab
world — fragile socio-
economic structures; mal-
distribution of wealth; poli.t-
ical fragmentation; and
precarious religious orien-
tations — have generated
and will continue to gener-
ate turmoil and instability
in the Middle East.
Those who believe that
there will be a peaceful
resolution of the Arab-
Israeli conflict once
Israel offers sweeping
concessions should re-
view their history books.
Nothing in the Arab polit-
ical or cultural orienta-
tion indicates any
genuine readiness to
reconcile differences
with Israel and to accept
CJC Asks for
New Approach
from Canadians
MONTREAL (JTA) —
Irving Cotler, newly elected
president of the Canadian
Jewish Congress, has called
for new approaches by
Canadian Jewry to matters
which concern it, such as
the presentation of Israel's
case to the government,
public opinion in Canada
and combatting assimila- -
tion.
These issues and the fu-
ture of Jews in a French
Quebec were discussed by
the 40-year-old law profes-
sor in an interview with the
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
here.
With respect to Israel, he
id, "Part of our problem
riginates in the way the
se was presented to the
vernment and public
opinion in Canada. We
should advocate the cause of
Israel not only because it is
a Jewish cause but because
it is a just cause.
"We should explain
that Israel is a metaphor
for human rights, that it
has become the litmus
test for democracy, that
how it goes with Israel, so
it will go with the rest of
us."
Israel's sovereignty over
any part of "Palestine" as
a requisite - for peaceful
co-existence.
Those who speak of PLO
moderation should recall
the conference of the heads
of the rejectionist states in
Tripoli, Libya in mid-April.
Yasir Arafat, with the
full backing of Syria, Libya,
Algeria and South Yemen,
reaffirmed the PLO's rejec-
tion of UN Resolution 242,
rejection of Israel's right to
exist, rejection of the Camp
David Accords and rejection
of the autonomy plan. Is-
rael's elimination, and
nothing less, was restated
as the only requisite for
peace.
There is no immediate
solution to this intractable
dilemma. As long as the
Arab states entertain the
hope that the scales will
eventually and perma-
nently tilt in their favor, no
Palestinians, Iraqis, Sy-
rians or Libyians will ever
accept Israel as a perma-
nent nation in the Middle
East. Why should they?
Currently, the Arab
states are enjoying un-
precedented economic
and military growth,
translated into global
political clout. Time is on
their side. They are
patient, and are often
fanatically motivated.
Why should the Arab
world accept Israel if it has
not ruled out Israel's ulti-
mate demise? The messen-
gers of peace — be they the
American Friends Service
Committee, Peace Now
Movement, or American
and Western European dip-
lomats — should all re-
member that they do not
have a patent on peace in
the Middle East.
Every Israeli man, wo-
man and child yearns and
hopes for peace, but at what
price? As long as the Arabs
continue to play on the U.S.
government's weaknesses
and vacillating policies and
on Western Europe's thirst
for oil, and as long 4s the
international community
accepts economic and politi-
cal blackmail as a formula
for sound diplomatic rela-
tions, the Arab states can be
counted on to take full ad-
vantage of the situation.
Neither the Arab states'
propaganda, nor their
empty rhetoric, nor the con-
formity of the majority
should blind the intelligent
observer. The prerequisite
for a Middle East peace is
peace between and among
the various Arab states,
reinforced by an unwaver-
ing and unshakable com-
mitment of the free world to
Israel's security.
(Note, please, that dur-
ing the last 30 years, there
have been at least 40
revolutions and
counter-revolutions in
the Arab states and eight
inter-Arab wars!)
Only then will the rest of
the Arab states follow
President Sadat's example,
and only then can they ex-
pect Israel to respond
generously for the sake of a
mutual and a lasting peace.
11111 1101N MI
1 1 441511111 WI Miro EMT lE WIS111 WS
Friday, June 13, 1930
:
13 -
FATHER'S DAY
SPECIALS
MARZOTTO
NOW $119"
Suits $285-$325
PIERRE CARDIN
Dress Shirts $21-$25
COURCHEVEL
NOW $ 13"
NOW
$ 99 5
Designer Sport Shirts
NOW
$32.50-$42.50
$2495
Ties $15-$17.50
DESOLVERDI'S
FINE GENTLEMEN'S CLOTHING
APPLEGATE SQUARE
M., T., W., S. 11-6
Th., Fri. 11-8:30
Sun. 12:30-4:30
353-1646
for
too C JA
Seiko Quartz
for Father's Day.
-;*
Hell love every minute of it.
Mc
When it comes to today's man, we
have a wide selection of exciting new
rings that are sure to suit his life
style. These rugged yet elegant ring
styles will please even the most dis-
criminating taste. Come in and let
us show you our exclusive collection
today. -
denbram
CreativekAelers
29173 Northwestern Hwv. Southfield, MI 48034 ; (3'.3) 356-2525
at 12 Mile Rd., Franklin Plaza
Daily 10-6
Thurs. 1C-8