4 Friday, April 6, 1984 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS THE JEWISH NEWS Serving Detroit's Metropolitan Jewish Community with distinction for four decades. Editorial and Sales offices at 17515 West Nine Mile Road, Suite 865 Southfield, Michigan 48075-4491 TELEPHONE 424-8833 PUBLISHER: Charles A. Buerger EDITOR EMERITUS: Philip Slomovitz EDITOR: Gary Rosenblatt BUSINESS MANAGER: Carmi M. Slomovitz ART DIRECTOR: Kim Muller-Thym NEWS EDITOR: Alan Hitsky LOCAL NEWS EDITOR: Heidi Press OFFICE STAFF: Marlene Miller Dharlene Norris Tedd Schneider Phyllis Tyner Pauline Weiss Ellen Wolfe ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Drew Lieberwitz Rick Nessel Danny Raskin Seymour Schwartz PRODUCTION: Donald Cheshure Cathy Ciccone Curtis Deloye Ralph Orme Bethlehem's mayor in U.S. BY WOLF BLITZER Jewish News Washington correspondent Washignton — Bethlehem's popu- lar mayor, Elias Freij, came to Wash- ington the other day, a guest of the State Department. It was his first seri- ous visit to the U.S. capital since 1978. He had a full schedule of meetings with senior State Department offi- cials, members of Congress, aca- demicians, journalists, Arab dip- lomats and others. There were ses- sions arranged for him at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the American Enterprise Institute, the Foreign Press Center, the Na- tional Press Club and other prestigi- ous institutions. In short, he was roy- ally welcomed as a moderate Palesti- CC) 1984 by The Detroit Jewish News (US PS 275-520) Second Class postage paid at Southfield, Michigan and additional mailing offices. Subscription $18 a year. CANDLELIGHTING AT 6:43 P.M. VOL. LXXXV No. 6 Israel's decision to hold new elections is welcome news, regardless of which party one favors. The Shamir government has been unable to break out of the post-Begin syndrome and the Labor opposition has not had a chance to test the post-Lebanon political waters. In fact, Hussein, shortly thereaf ter, denounced U.S. policy in the Mid- dle East — resulting in the cancella tion of the Reagan Administration's proposed Stinger anti-aircraft missile sale. The king was clearly sending= a signal that he did not really anticipate any movement on the diplomatic front during the U.S. Presidential campaign this year in any case. Why bother to irritate the Syrians, therefore, with talk of peace negotiations? The prospect of new elections resulting in a more stable, broad-based government is compelling for it has been proven that a Jerusalem government with a narrow base is unable to carry out necessary, though controversial, public policy decisions. Israel's parliamentary system of elections needs to be improved upon. The power — even the tyranny — of the small, sometimes tiny, parties over the large is improper and imbalanced. The major parties should hold sway over the smaller ones rather than the other way around. At present, one or two individuals can topple a government. But such changes, which have long been discussed, must come after this election. Our glorious saga Sharing with a selected group of American communities the privilege of seeing and studying the record of Jewish achievements during the centuries that commenced with the very founding of this nation, Michigan will host the important exhibit, "Jewish Life in America: Fulfilling the American Dream." Marking the 70th anniversary of the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, the exhibition, which opens Thursday at the Detroit Historical Museum, emphasizes many significant objectives. The recognition it accords to tht ADL and its immense services, not alone to the Jewish community but to the country at large, is in itself vital to the documentary elements in a noteworthy undertaking. The contributions made by ADL to every effort in support of civic protective undertakings and to the elimination of prejudices is basic to the attention attracted to the display of American Jewish gifts to the democratic ideals of the nation. Adding importance to the oncoming event is the historic factor of Michigan Jewry's share in the saga about to be witnessed and Studied at the Historical Museum. With Greater Detroit Jewry's leadership role in these historical analyses, and with much of the non-Jewish community sharing in it, this aspect of a very important historic documentation in reconstructed and assembled documents and photographs makes the event here one of the most impressive in this generation's experiences. It is important to note that only once before, during the American Jewish Tercentenary celebration, were the Detroit Historical Museum's facilities assigned to so vital a Jewish sponsorship. All of these elements in a noteworthy project provide expectations that non-Jews as well as Jews will not miss the opportunity to benefit from an inspired opportunity to learn anew about the Jewish contributions toward the fulfillment of the American Dream. But Freij, a familiar figure on the Israeli and West Bank scene since th' 1967 Six-Day War, is not yet prepared to give up. He came to Washington shortly following a highly-publicized mission to Jordan, together with nearly 40 other West Bank leader._,-, including six mayors. There, they met with King Hussein and, despit, threats of possible Israeli reprisals, with PLO Chairman Yassir Arafat as well. Freij emerged as the spokesma for the West Bankers during those meetings in Amman. Their objectiv, was to obtain a commitment from Hussein and Arafat to enter into peace talks. But that, of course, did not occur. Israeli elections The ruling Likud party had sought to put off the elections until the fall, hoping that the economy might improve by then. Labor wanted elections as soon as possible, as early as mid-May, to capitalize on growing dissatisfaction among the electorate. It is a healthy sign that a compromise was reached, with elections now set for July 23. The major issues are clear: the economy and how to get out of Lebanon. Now it is time for the parties to explain their policies and let the people choose. neighbors, each in his defined home- land or state." The most recent war in Lebanon. he continued, has underlined "once, and for all" that no military solutio really possible. But time is running out for a peaceful settlement," the mayor said. He cited the "high spee - and frightening size" of Israeli settle= ments on the West Bank and Gaza "Eventually," he added, "they make it impossible." Elias Freij nian leader prepared to live in peace with Israel. When we met for coffee at the Em- bassy Row Hotel, he was clearly tired from the seemingly endless rounds of discussions. This is the first day I have had a chance to rest," he said. But he was determined to continue, ever the politician. "It is the destiny of Israelis and Palestinians to live together in peace," he said, repeating his basic theme ex- pressed throughout meetings in Wash- ington. "We must live as good Freij agreed that Israeli elections,I, also moved up to later this year, have combined to suspend any serioue thinking about difficult Israeli conces- sions in the near future. In the course of discussing the Israeli elections „ Freij demonstrated an impressive understanding of the Israeli politicE.2 arena and the main — and sometimes not-so-main — characters involved. know a lot about Israeli politics," he said rather straightforwardly. "It's my business." Thus, while certainly aware of the Continued on. Page 6