(OBSERVATIONS ARIPirIR GALLERY casual living modes "Flights of Fantasy" May 5th through May 30th contemporary • furniture • lighting • wall decor • gifts • interiors Join us for Wine & Cheese Reception Thursday, May 5th, 5.9 P.M. ARTISTS FEATURED AT SHOW: Kath Lathers Deborah Banyas Dee Sequla Chris Roberts Antieau Gloria Pacosa Joanne Fox Ingrid Dijkers • Ceramics • Jewelry • Folk Art HOURS: Monday-Saturday 10-5, Thurs. 10-9 Sun. By Appointment Contemporary accessories for over 34 years 544-1711 22961 Woodward, Ferndale, MI He can have your hand in marriage. We just want your finger. Astreins wants to put your finger in one of our new and exciting diamond engagement rings. Stop in and see our collection of original designs and save 30% on all loose diamonds. 120 W Maple •13irmingham 644-1651 Mon.-Sat. 10-5:30 • Thurs. & Fri. 'til 9:00 AMX•VIS•VIC Accepted Advice To Shamir, Rabin: Curb Thy Tongue BERL FALBAUM Special to The Jewish News • Glass • Woodcrafts • Textiles 386 E. MAPLE (15 Mile) BIRMINGHAM, MI 647-6405 I t appears that Israel Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir has forgotton the axiom that if one possesses a big stick, he may speak soft- ly — and in the current Arab uprisings it would serve his purpose to do so. Perhaps one of the gravest mistakes of the Israel govern- ment in the current crisis has not been the use of force but the failure to communicate with appropriate diplomacy. Shortly after the riots started, Defense Minister Rabin, defying traditional political language, faced the world's television cameras and pledged continued "beatings" if order was not restored. Then, Prime Minister Shamir seemed to revel in the use of touch language, stating that Arabs are "grasshoppers compared to us," adding: "Anyone who wants to damage this fortress and other fortressess we are establishing will have his head smashed against the boulders and walls." Such inciteful rhetoric is counterproductive and con- tributes little to an ultimate solution. Blaming the media, whatever their shortcomings — and they are many — is misdirected in this case. Reporters thrive on controver- sy and confrontation. Politically sophisticated leaders should be aware of that and avoid the pitfalls. The government's public posture is puzzling and may be the result of several factors: • Officials simply want to win the fight on principle and public relations is not their objective. That is a commen- dable view but hardly realistic. lb suggest that com- munication is vital seems somehow elementary. The late Egyptian President An- war Sadat, at one point, hired former White House press aides to advise him on public relations. • The government has become fatalistic, beieving that no matter what the issue, Israel will always be the target of criticism. That may be true and seemed to be the position taken by former Prime Minister Menachem Begin. But its frustration not- Bed Falbaum is public relations director of Perry Drugs. Pk_PRIIAY APRII • 1 Shamir: Puzling posture. withstanding, Israel cannot afford a "to hell with 'em" posture if, for no other reason, than the danger of alienating its few supporters. • Officials may not unders- tand the impact of their statements nor public rela- tions in general. That is hard to believe but, if true, they have some important lessons to learn — and they need to learn them quickly. Whatever the reasons, and it may be a combination of these or simply the result of the political personalities in- volved, Israel's image is tak- ing an unnecessary beating because- of communications failures. My criticism of the public statements of Israeli leader- ship is not an indictment of their policies. Presumably, Israel is using the ap- propriate force necessary given the risks involved. But how much better it would be for Israel's leaders to explain to the world that the government is using the "minimum" force and, more importantly, that it deeply regrets the loss of life — on all sides. The Jewish tradition has never reveled in the misfor- tunes of others, even in war. Human life is sacred and the callousness expressed by government leaders does a disservice to that tradition. Instead of alienating public opinion, Israel should be seeking support. And that is very hard when headlines are ablaze with the Shamir- Rabin rhetoric. Jews and non-Jews alike ex- pressed outrage at the gleeful reaction of Arab terrorists who labeled "heroic" the massacres of civilians, in- cluding children. Their language lacked decency and any sense of civility.