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. 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