10 Friday, November 30, 1984 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS • COMMENT Meir Kahane's big gamble BY IRVING GREENBERG Special to The Jewish News • 01e ' . . 0400400040:0440111.*: f2. „... Meir Kahane's victory has has- tened the day of electoral reform in Israel. At the least, a rule to require a minimum of 2-3 percent of the electorate for obtaining a seat is coming. Therefore, he has undertaken a sinister gamble to broaden his base. Israel has been able' to resist Arab murderous intentions by its own Jewish population's strength and bravery in war — and thanks to the cooperation of Israeli Arabs. Despite their kinship to non-Israeli Arabs and the obvious feelings at being a minority, Is- raeli Arabs have lived with Israel in war and peace. They have given no substantial support to ter- rorism nor made any trouble in wartime — and this, despite their not being trusted enough to be drafted into the Israeli army. Kahane seeks to drive them into such dissidence as to make life to- gether unlivable for Jews and Arabs. Since 1967, Israeli Arabs have become more alienated from the system. This reflects the impact of contact with Palestinians made possible by Israeli conquest of the West Bank, the international legitimation of Arafat and the PLO, and Their own improved position which has made them more resentful of slights, restric- tions on governmental job access, civil rights, etc. During this period of intensified terrorism, there are countless incidents when any or all Arabs present are searched for security reasons but Israeli Jews are not. Every time a terrorist incident occurs, Arabs in the area are suspect and/or checked. The result is often a feel- ing of resentment or shame which shows up in some political radicalization. The rise of Likud to power, with its symbolic tougher attitudes towards Arabs, also affects Israeli Arabs. In the past, Israeli Arabs over- whelmingly voted through par- ties dominated by Jews. This year, for the first time, a bit more than 50 percent of the Arab voters cast their ballots for the radical Arab parties. To position himself clearly be- yond Likud and Tehiya (and thus attract voters) Kahane took the position that Arabs must be bribed or expelled to leave Israel (in his definition, an Israel ex- panded by the West Bank). At this point, Kahane's position makes him a fringe political fig- ure and close to a pariah among respectable politicians. Kahane must- radicalize Jewish opinion to win. To do that, he must radicalize Arab opinion and create such mis- trust between the two com- munities as to generate a cycle of repression and expulsion. Radicalizing Israeli Arab opinion . could have a disastrous effect on Israel's -security and livability. But Kahane has no problem sin- cerely convincing himself that bringing this radicalism out is only telling a truth which has been hidden heretofore. Kahane has embarked on a per- sonal 'no lose' campaign. He or- ganized marches on Umm al Fahm (and will do so for other Arab villages). If the police let him in, the march is bound to of- fend and radicalize. If the police stop him, he gets media coverage. The coverage is bound to inflame Arab opnion anyway. (How would you feel if a national party preach- ing that the Jews must leave America by bribery or expulsion organized a march through Skokie?) The resultant anger will arouse Israeli Jewish opinion and a polarizing interaction can be set in motion. Eventually, expulsion can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Like all good demagogues, Kahane exploits feal fears and wounds. Israeli Arabs are feeling slighted and some,- attraction to Arab nationalism. In America, such developments have led to civil strife and riots. Israel must mix firmness and understanding and vigilance to get through this next period. But Kahane seeks to foreclose a peaceful solution. A scholar has estimated that 70 per- PRESTIGE FOR LESS Prestige Fragrances Should Be Bought In A Prestigious Store. You Need To Sample, Smell and Explore Them. You Need Qualified Cosmeticians To Answer Questions. And, of Course, You Need Clean, Legitimate, Fresh Goods. You Can Buy Them at the Dept. Store at Retail or You Can Buy Them at GAYNORS. GAYNORS Introduces "PRESTIGE FOR LESS." A Sampling Of Our Line Will Entertain Special Prices GAYNORS PRICE PROTECTION POLICY We Will Match Any Advertised Price On All Prestige Fragrances December's "PRESTIGE FOR LESS" List Retail NOW THRU 12-31-84 LAUREN 3.8 OZ. SPRAY '13.00 $9.95 HALSTON 2.5 OZ. COLOGNE SPRAY $23.50 $15.99 4 4 OMBRE ROSE 2.5 OZ. EDT SPRAY $39.00 $27.95 POLO 1.5 OZ. AFTER SHAVE $12.00 $8.99 CARTIER FOR MEN 1.0 OZ. EDT $27.50 9.95 PACO FOR MEN 2.5 OZ. AFTER SHAVE $15.60 $9.95 ORCHARD PLACE CENTER Orchard Lake Road South of 14 Mile 855-0033