THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Friday, November 12, 1982 1 Post-War Perception of Israel Concerns Former Envoy to U.S. By YITZHAK RABI NEW YORK (JTA) — Simha Dinitz, who was Is- rael's Ambassador to Wash- ington from 1973 to 1978, believes that Israel's image in the United States has eroded in recent months, following the war in Leba- non and the massacre of Palestinians in west Beirut. Dinitz, who is now the vice president of the He- brew University in Jerusalem and who was here on a two-week visit on behalf of the university, said that Israel's image has- been tarnished "particu- larly in the way it is re- flected in American public opinion and Congress." Explaining this, Dinitz said that Israel's strength in the U.S. "has been based all along on a combination of moral and strategic values. American public opinion never perceived Israel merely as a tool for United States strategic needs. The basis for Israeli-American special relations was the moral basis, Israel's assets as a democracy and a free society. On this level some question marks have emerged. According to Dinitz, Is- rael's credibility has also been hurt because a feel- ing was created in the American public that Is- rael's words do not al- ways match its deeds and that "she is not always doing what she says she is going to do." He stressed that this new image of Israel is "a per- ception not necessarily based on facts." Another reason for Is- rael's diminished image in the U.S. is the feeling among some American legislators and laymen that "Israel no longer knows the limitation of power," Dinitz said. He noted that in his talks with Congressmen, Jewish leaders and various other Americans, "there was a feeling that Israel feels more free now to use power and place less re- straints on itself in that re- spect." Dinitz, who represented the Labor government dur- ing his first four years in Washington and the Likud government during his last year, was critical of the "style" of the government of Premier Menahem Begin. Dinitz feels that "There are too many statements by the present leaders of the Is- raeli government which sound arrogant and convey the impression that they do not consider the needs and sensitivities of others, espe- cially the American gov- ernment." But Dinitz said that in his view the basic American support and commitment to Israel's survival in peace and security remains firm and unquestioned. He warned, however, that there is a thin line between an erosion of Israel's image and an erosion of American SIMHA DINITZ military, economic and political support for Israel. "If Israel loses its posi- tion of strength in public opinion, the result can be that this would influence the American policy makers," he said. "It can happen easily in such a free and democratic country as the United States. Israel must, there- fore, make all efforts to repair its image in the streets of America to avoid a change of atti- tude by the policy mak- ers. This is a process that might happen _one day." Dinitz noted that, con- trary to previous years, Is- rael now enjoys more sup- port in the Administration that it does in Congress. "Is- rael, therefore, cannot now stop any moves by the Ad- ministration it views as being against its interests as it did, for instance, in 1975, when 76 Senators demanded in a letter to President Ford to drop his reassessment policy toward Israel and avoid any policy that could harm Israel's interests." The Ford Ad- ministration announced its reassessment policy to pres- sure Israel to make conces- sions to Egypt during the negotiations on the dis- engagement of forces in Sinai. Dinitz contended that Congress reflects in many ways American public and media opinions. "Israel must realize the importance, of support for it in the Con- gress," he said. "It is not enough that the President and the Administration - support Israel. This support must always be accom- panied by Congressional support." BI-FOLD SUPER SPECIAL 4 ft. openings 5 ft. openings 6 ft. openings Existing Doors $113.99 Installed $118.99 Installed $135.99 Installed NEW MIRRORED BI-FOLD DOORS—FINEST QUALITY Slim Fold 4 ft.-5 ft. openings $175.00 installed 6 ft. openings $205.00 installed Lowest Prices On All Types of Mirrored Walls,_ Furniture, Bars, Cubes, Etc. Heavy Glass Table Tops, Shelving, Beveled. O.G. Edges, Etc. Complete Service. Prior sales excluded. 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Nahmias said the prime minister also told him that the Franco-Israel dialogue will soon resume and that the Franco-Israel cultural commission, whose scheduled meeting last June was postponed by the French government be- cause of the war in Lebanon will soon be reconvened. 11111•11 ■ 11011 Please help by supporting our Kiryat Shmoneh Restoration Project Join us at 12 Noon TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1982 CONGREGATION BETH ACHIM 21100 West 12 Mile Rd., Southfield . f . if it.f y :14 ,•: Guest Speaker Rabbi Isaac Swift - Prominent Rabbi, Author and eloquent speaker. Former Vice President JNF • of Australia and New Zealand. .0 7 0 , / fr r / et:4,,f, I It. ,..„_•'`, m G aule:te 4 4 I lA ee rtist Greene-Ruby Versatile and experienced -1 ; 4 local musical performer •‘.: j Rochelle Barr - —% Accompanist ": • . .2! :31"— „f • 1./"Cfe Shamir Trip Off JERUSALAM (JTA) — Foreign Minister Yitzhak Shamir's visit to Zaire, scheduled for this week, was postponed at the hosts' re- quest. Israeli officials said the postponement was technical and the visit would take place at the end of the month. Meanwhile, it was learned, Shamir's aides are putting together a Latin American tour for him that will hopefully include Argentina. The visit is likely at the end of the year or the beginning of 1983. for information call: JEWISH NATIONAL FUND 27308 Southfield Road Southfield, Michigan 557-6644 ‘Cat , KA, C.E to LC iSN~[L Shirley (Mrs. Jules) Kraft President Doris (Mrs. Joseph) Markel Vice President & Program Chairperson Bea (Mrs. Julius) Feigelman Betty (Mrs. Frank) Silverman Fundraising Co-chairpersons