2 Friday, April 30, 1982 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Purely Commentary When an Entire International Community Suffers Guilt in Its Treatment of Israel Ahad HaAm (Asher Ginsberg), the most eminent of the Jewish scholars of this century, in one of his essays in which he discussed the prejudices leveled at the Jewish people, posed the question whether it could possibly be conceived that the entire world could be wrong in its treatment of the Jewish people. If anti-Semitism is rampant everywhere, how can Jews claim immunity from the accusations? He provided an answer. Yes, it is correct to state that the entire world is wrong. The Ritual Murder accusation against Jews proves it, he contended. If such an outrageous libel could be leveled at Jews, with the bigots in so many countries parties to the libel, then Jewry is correct in its accusation of mankind as it stands alone resisting bigotry. This is applicable now to the United Nations Security Council and to the world powers in its make-up — the United States standing alone in defense of common decency and truth. The UN Security Council was acting on a resolution proposed by hatemongering nations condemning Israel for an act by an individual, an insane person who committed an inexcusable crime at one of the holiest of the Moslem mosques in the world. It was an outrage by a mentally- deranged man, more against Israelis and Jews than at Moslems. The Islamic world need not be reminded that it has many assassinations, murders, injustices committed by unscrupulous, certainly not rational people.They were sad experiences. No one blamed Arabs or Islamic worshippers. But when a single Jew committed a crime, all of Israel, all of Jewry was condemned. Who joined in the condemning? France, England, China, the great powers! This is where the guilt lies: that the world's so-called civilized nations should have joined in another form of ritual murder lies against the Jewish people and the state of Israel! The latest UN Security Council vote is so blatantly unethical that it explains why the UN is now described with disgust as immoral and as having betrayed the pur- pose for which it was created. Sinking even lower is the joint action by British, French, Scandinavians, those pos- ing in frock coats,of diplomacy as civilized statesmen. They sink into the gutter condemning an entire people for the insanity of an individual. Let them all look to their laurels and judge in their own midst to declare whether, whenever there is a crime in their countries, the international community should step in to insult their entire nation. This nation is blessed for having refused to join the indecency that was perpetrated in the inhumanly politicized world organization. There should be gratitude in the heart of every American that our nation refuses to be in the ranks of uncivilized medievalism in that shocking ac- tion of the UN. Yet . . . There Are Too Many Misconceptions About Israel's Current Political Actions Yet, there are blunders and Americans are not im- mune from blame. There is still that scapegoat called Menahem Begin. He is the suitable target, and whenever there is an attack on Israel and Menahem is selected for hatred, there is evidence of misunderstanding, often resulting from failure, perhaps refusal, to look at the facts. Former Presidential candidate Senator Barry Goldwa- ter is an example. He judged Begin as it he were a villain. He undertook to advise the Israelis who elected Begin in democratic fashion to reject the legally-selected prime minister. Gold*ater was nasty in passing judgment, in blaming Begin for the ills of the current period in Middle East affairs. The Arizona U.S. Senator should have known better. He didn't look at the record. Neither have many others who should give credit where it is due — Begin is the man who engineered the peace with Egypt, making the Egyptians the only Arabs who have abandoned warfare; Begin is the man who worked with Anwar Sadat for that peace, utilizing President Carter's cooperation for that purpose; it is Begin who made many sacrifices in the name of his Israeli people to attain that hoped-for peace. Let this be remembered udging, and then the judgment will be less harsh. judging, A musical director also undertook to pass judgment. Joseph Eger, who directs the Symphony for the United Nations, while recalling an anti-Semitic slur directed at him when he was nine years old, has become frightened over events in Israel. In his panic he wrote on the New York Times Op-Ed Page under the heading "Why Jews Worry." He offered advice that Israel, and also Jews of course, should test the waters polluted by Arafat. While being an advice-provider he took pot shots at Begin. This has become the means of seeking credibility for fears and dislikes. What this UN musician fails to under- stand, besides his reluctance to look at the facts and ap- preciate the strains and difficulties under which Israelis By Philip The Eyes and Ears of the World on Israel, But Some Hearts Are Poisoned and Many of the Leading Powers Are Cowed Into Panic from Oil-Soaked Threats • operate, is that if Jews succumbed to panic it would mean their end. They can't sink into fearfulness even when ad- vised by fellow Jews to submit to the indignities that made the word "pogrom" applicable for Jews, under Czarism, under Nazism and now under the threat of Arafatism. Eger must have acquired his fears at the UN while serving there musically. Since so much of these fears stem from the so-called Palestinian problems and threats, it is encouraging to read the objective approach in the Wall Street Journal editorial (April 21, "Palestine Realities"): From 1949 to 1967, when the West Bank was controlled by Jordan, there were few Arab calls for a Palestinian state there. Most Arab states regard the PLO with intense suspicion; and in fact both Jordan in 1970 and Syria in 1976 tried to destroy its military command. But the Palestinian cause is the only issue that comes close to uniting the discordant Arab world. Iraq and Syria, Libya and Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Morocco may be bitter enemies, but they can join in rejecting any compromise with Israel or in ostracizing Egypt for Camp David. There can be no Palestinian state, however, without compromise. Israel will never counten- ance a hostile Palestinian state on its borders. And so long as the PLO remains pledged to Is- rael's destruction, Israel cannot afford to give genuine autonomy to West Bank and Gaza popu- lations who sympathize with the PLO. Palestinian self-rule will come only when Palestinian leader- ship makes peaceable overtures comparable to those made by Sadat, and when Israel is con- vinced that the leadership will stay in power. The tragedy of Palestine is that its nationalism is so profoundly anti-Israeli, and that those few lead- ers who urge accommodation are assassinated. There are only two ways that tranquility could be restored to Israel's occupied territories. One is by draconian military rule, of the sort that is dif- ficult for a liberal democracy such as Israel to sustain. The second is by the emergence of Pales- tinian leaders who would be willing to stand up for peace with Israel. The second would be clearly preferable for both Israelis and Palestinians, but it is being thwarted by those who fan the flames of uncompromising Palestinian nationalism. Amidst the crudities that pile up for people of good will who do not bear grudges against Israel, there is the satis- faction of knowing that not all judges of the events of this crucial age are venomous. The just-quoted Wall Street Journal editorial provides a measure of comfort from dis- tress. SIOMOVItZ A Small Town Mich. Newspaper Editor Sadly Misrepresents It is hard to believe: there is no limit to the hate that can be spread by misinformation. How else could one possi- bly judge a comment by a small town newspaper editor in a letter from one of his readers who questioned the justice of American aid for Israel? In Fenton, Mich., a newspaper entitled the Tri-County News, circulated in Genesee County, published a letter from a reader who asked: "Why is the United States pour- ing $6,000,000 a day into the Israeli economy?" Appended to it was a reply, signed by Rick Rockman, publisher of the paper: "The biggest single reason I know is because ;s A country is basically run by Jews, plus you have to that Israel is one of the few true allies we have left." The introductory comment is deplorable. Is this coun- try dominated by Jews? Isn't it sufficient that Israel and the United States are friends? Why introduce a deplorable un- truth that the country is dominated by Jews? A concession that Israel is the lone friend of the U.S. indicates that colleague Rockman does know the situation. But why muddy the waters by dignifying the ghost of anti- Semitism? Who, Dear Rick, are the Jews who dominated the last few administrations in Washington? Who are they? And if there are Jews brilliant enough to lead this country into paths of wisdom, for better economic functions, toward foreign policies that will dignify this land, wouldn't you welcome them? The point is that a single misstatement can poison the minds of people, and the small town editor exerts more influence than the most powerful newspapers. That's the road to follow. Help create friendships, Rick! That's the way to lend glory even to the smallest of newspapers. Does Council for Judaism Seek Limelight Again? The American Council for Judaism hasn't been missed. When it was active it was referred to as neither American, nor a recognized council, nor Jewish in spirit. Now, as a letter to the editor in this issue reveals, a spokesperson for it asks for attention again. The Council for Judaism representative makes a good point: the U.S. President has a right, perhaps an obligation, to meet with any individuals he chooses. But any attempt to disrupt the democratic status of American Jewry merits condemnation. When dealing with Jewish issues, with the concern of American Jewry in Israel, it is the organized community for which must be demanded representative status. The Council for Judaism hasn't been — if its policies persist, can't be — a recognized Jewish affiliate. Therefore, its challenge to the head of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Howard Squadron, invites the definition of hutzpa. It'll be a sad day for Ameri- can Jewry when a handful of Jews, acting independently, can assume representation. Shaarey Zedek Documentaries: Historic Records Perpetuated Cong. Shaarey Zedek's volunteer workers who have planned the 120th an- niversary festivities are making a contribution to the entire community in one special respect. In the proc- ess of planning an historical exhibit, for the May 6-13 period, they have succeeded in accumulating data which otherwise might have been completely lost. Concern now being shown generally in recording his- torical facts could be eased to a degree with the documentaries being made available during the Shaarey Zedek observance of its 120 years of progress- ive functioning. , On the agenda ofcommu- nity planning, generated by the Jewish Welfare Federa- tion, a long-hoped for his- tory of Detroit Jewry may at last be compiled and made available. What is gathered now as an exhibit of Shaarey Zedek becomes a trea- sure for the entire Jewish community and for the state of Michigan. There is much that is hid- den, a great deal that gets lost for lack of appreciation of the value of photographs and letters, and their preservation needs encouragement. There are some elders around who can provide the story of Greater Detroit Jewry orally. They need to be interviewed and their re- collections recorded. They need encouragement to gather up their collected photographs and written or published facts for the re- cord. It is to the credit of Mrs. Bernard (Judy) Cantor, jointly with Billie Barak, that the Shaarey Zedek his- torical record project is ac- quiring fruition. Daughter amue M . of the late Prof.Samuel Levin, granddaughter of the late Rabbi Judah Levin who was considered Detroit's Chief Rabbi when he minis- tered at the Shaarey Zedek, Mrs. Cantor pursues a fam- ily tradition with skill. The community owes her a debt for her efforts. This 80-year-old Shaarey Zedek photograph includes, from left, Rabbi Ab- raham M. Hershman, former Chief Rabbi Judah L. Levin, and former Shaarey Zedek presidents David Simons, Isaac Shetzer, Isaac Saulson, Louis Smith and Mr. Friedlander. Persons who can identify others in the photograph should leave a message for Judy Cantor, archives chairman, at Shaarey Zedek, 357-5544.