Critical Issues Affecting Self-Defense and Threats to Israel's Existence THE JEWISH NEWS Editorial, Page 4 Commentary, Page 2 A Weekly Review of Jewish Events Timerman Role in Human Rights Struggles and the Duty to Protests Bigotries Editorial, Page 4 ••■ Copyright VOL. LXXIX, No. 16 The Jewish News Publishing Co. 17515 W. Nine Mile, Suite 865, Southfield, Mich. 48075 424-8833 $15 Per Year: This Issue 35c June 19, 1981 eagan Concedes Israel Raid as a Sincere Defensive Act Egyptian Praises Weizmann Institute, Peace With Israel LOS ANGELES Paying homage to Israel's Weiz- mann Institute of Science and "the great land that pro- duced it," Dr. Abdel Meguid,the Arab Republic of Egypt's deupty prime minister for economics and finance, on June 6 forecast a fruitful era of scientific and economic cooperation between his country and the Jewish state. Dr. Meguid told 400 guests attending the three-day International Weizmann Leadership Conference at the Century Plaza Hotel, "We look at the Weizmann Institute of Science with great pride, we cherish it, we love it, we consider it a center of excellence for the entire Middle East." No changes of administration in Israel or new tensions in other Arab countries could change the relationship be- tween the Jewish state and Egypt, Dr. Meguid, noted Mid- dle East economist and regional planner, emphasized. "Camp David represents not just a treaty — not just a piece of paper — but a new way of thinking and a new stage reached by humanity" he said. "Peace is here to stay and no one in his right mind in either Israel or Egypt would opt for any other course." In response, the full cooperation of Israel's famed sci- ence center in a full-ranging program of binational cooper- ation was pledged by Prof. Michael Sela, president of the Weizmann Institute, and Morris L. Levinson, board chair- man of the institute's American Committee. Egypt is particularly interested in tapping the new high-technology systems and industries being developed by the Weizmann Institute and other Israeli research centers, said Dr. Meguid. In planning future scientific and commer- cial exchanges, "the sky is the limit," he said. WASHINGTON (JTA) — President Reagan conceded Tuesday that Israel had reason for concern" over Iraq and "might have sincerely believed it was a defensive move" when it destroyed Iraq's nuclear reactor June 7. But Reagan said he could not make a final determination whether Israel had violated U.S. law in using American-made planes for the raid until the Administration completes its "review" of the raid and Congress holds hearings. The House Foreign Affairs Committee began hearings Wednesday and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee planned to begin its probe on Thursday. At the same time, answering questions at his first formal White House cress conference in three months, Reagan said he hoped that his special Middle East envoy, Philip Habib, will be successful in bringing about a peaceful settlement of the Lebanese crisis. He warned that if either Israel attempts to knock out Syria's SAM-6 anti-aircraft missiles, or Syria fires the missiles at Israel, it would end prospects for peace. The President said that the Syrian missiles were "offensive weapons" and there was "no question about the direction in which they were aimed." Although he did not specify, it appeared clear he was saying that the missiles were aimed at Israeli aircraft. However, the President said that he believed in Habib's ultimate success because up to now, his achievements have been "miraculous" since when the envoy first went to the area several weeks ago, the "weapons were cocked" and war appeared likely. "Until he comes home and says 'I give up,' I will continue to believe he can do it," Reagan declared. But, the President noted, the Israeli raid on Iraq, as well as the situation in Lebanon, is further evidence that real peace, a settlement of all the Mideast problems, is long overdie." He said the Iraq raid, the Lebanese situation, the Soviet invasion of Q. Mr. President, how appropriate do you Afghanistan and the Iraqi-Iranian war are "compelling rea- believe is Israel's decision not to sign the sons" to seek a stable peace in the nuclear nonproliferation treaty; not to sub- Middle East. mit to inspections by the International Reagan said he did not give Atomic Energy Agency? much thought to the fact that Israel A. Well, I haven't given very much had not signed the nuclear non- thought to that particular question there — the subject about them not signing that proliferation treaty but added that nations that have signed the treaty treaty or, on the other hand, how many countries do we know that have signed it have not been prevented from violat- that very possibly are going ahead with nu- ing it. clear weapons. It's, again, something that "It is difficult for me to envi- doesn't lend itself to verification. sion Israel as being a threat to its It is difficult for me to envision Israel as neighbors," the President said. being a threat to its neighbors. It is a na- "It is a nation that from the very tion that from the very beginning has lived under the threat from neighbors that beginning has lived under the they did not recognize its right to exist as a threat from neighbors that did . An Excerpt from the President's Press Conference nation. (Continued on Page 10) RONALD REAGAN World Holocaust Gathering Celebrates Life In the top photograph, Prof. Michael Sela, left, president of the Weizmann Institute of Science, and Morris Levinson, center, chairman of the institute's American committee, greet Egypt's Dr. Abdel Meguid at the Weizmann International Leadership Confer- ence. In the bottom photograph, Dr. Meguid dances a hora with Mrs. Elga Stulman and Davar Rad, both of New York. JERUSALEM (JTA) — Some 7,000 Holocaust survivors met Monday night at the Yad Vashem memorial center to commemorate the millions' who did not survive. Many of the participants arrived at the site earlier than the official ceremony. They covered with flowers the black stone floor of the "Ohel Yizkor," which bears the names of the concentration camps. At various corners of the place, groups gathered for prayer and saying Kadish in memory of relatives. Some 80 Detroiters attended the four-day World Gathering of Holocaust Survivors. The ceremony began with the arrival of Israel President Yitzhak Navon, and the singing of the national anthem. Many of the 4,000 guests from abroad burst into tears. "Different peoples have developed different characteristics," said Navon. "The Jewish people de- veloped the trait of memory." Just as the Jewish people remember events such as those which deal with Abraham and Moses, they should remember the Holocaust, and ascertain that it will be remembered for generations to come, "so that the crimes will not be Israel Parley forgotten," he said. on Holocaust Navon noted that already now, a generation after the Holocaust, there are those who claim that the Holocaust did not exist, and that it is a Zionist invention. "It is your Is Broadcast and our duty to refute these terrible lies," Navon said. He added that history had proven A four-part series, that one should pay full attention to threats, even those made by apparent lunatics. "Holocaust: The Survivors Navon said the state of Israel was the only proper response to the Holocaust. Gather," will be aired 6 p.m. Simone Veil, president of the Parliament of Europe and a former French Cabinet June 25, 26, 29 and 30 over Minister, told the survivors that the thought of Palestine had kept alive a spark of hope Channel 56. in the hearts of the Jews in concentration camps during World War II. The series is a follow-up Veil opened her remarks with a brief memorial to her father, mother and brother broadcast covering the who hzd perished in Nazi concentration camps. She herself is a camp survivor. events of the World Gather- Veil said she had been asked before leaving Paris why the meeting should ing. be held in Israel, and had replied that this was the only place it could be held. The four parts will be re- Initiator and driving force behind the gathering, Ernest Michel of New York, peated at 5 a.m. June 26, 27, (Continued on Page 5) 30 and July 1.