Fourth Annual Tzedaka Fair ► throws it against the wall. "That's my house," he answers. Faiq, the warehouse manager, adds, "And lately, it's the soldiers who are tur- ning us back, especially on Fridays 'til the mosques let out." Uprising commands are given through the mosques, but these workers are registered to work in Israel. If the goal of the country is pro- duction, why impede them? "It's the young soldiers," he answers. "They're getting power crazy and like to make us squirm." The Israeli military con- siders Arab workers a danger and, of course, they are if they carry out terrorist operations. But most are trying to earn a living and are suffering bad- ly from the uprising. Then, so is Israel. Dudu Topaz has another routine concerning an Arab worker building an airbase. He answers the phone and tells the caller that General Moti is away on a top-secret exercise. He is asked where and answers, "Eighteen miles southwest of Beersheva. If you have any trouble getting in, tell them Ahmat sent you." In other words, Israelis believe reliance on Arab labor has become a threat to their security and don't think the situation is all that funny. Cost Of Living Jumps In Israel Tel Aviv (JTA) The cost-of- living index soared by a hef- ty 4.7 percent in January, one of the highest monthly in- creases in the past three years. For Israeli wage earners, devaluation means reduced buying power, especially for goods and ser- vices requiring foreign cur- rency such as imports and travel abroad. But it was not the only fac- tor in the rise of the January price index. Food prices rose about 10 percent because government price subsidies were slashed for budgetary reasons. But the prices of fruit and vegetables were up because of heavy rain and wind storms and freezing temperatures. The February price index is expected to increase by the same amount because of the spin-off effects of devaluation and delayed rises in the cost of electricity and public transportation. The inflation rate is ex- pected to subside in the following months and average 10 percent for the entire year. Workers will receive a 6 per- cent cost-of-living increment under an agreement just reached between the Treasury and Histadrut. Three percent will be paid with February salaries due March 1, with the rest spread out over three 1 percent in- crements, the last payable in April 1990. Sharansky Gets Support Jerusalem (JTA) A group of prominent former refuseniks has lashed out against those who oppose the appointment of former fellow Prisoner of Zion Natan Sharansky as U.N. ambassador. The group, headed by Yosef Begun, insisted Sharansky is eminently suitable for the post, in a letter published last week in the Jerusalem Post. The letter was also signed by Vladimir Brodsky, Hillel Butman, Yuli Edelstein, Yosef Mendelevich and Vladimir Slepak. Responding to those who say Sharansky's appointment would be a needless provoca- tion at a time when Soviet- Israeli relations seem to be warming, the writers stressed that Sharansky's hostility to the Soviet system and his con- tinuing criticism of the USSR is not a disadvantage for a representative of a democratic society." The letter writers said they themselves were not recom- mending Sharansky's ap- pointment, and "will leave the U.N. appointments to those responsible for making them." But they were obviously angered by the storm of criticism raised when Sharansky was proposed for the U.N. post. "It seems to us that the Soviets have reacted with less panic than many of our fellow Jews," the letter said. Soviet sources have in- dicated they have no interest in whom Israel appoints to head its U.N. delegation. Sharansky's appointment is being pushed hardest by Deputy Foreign Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, a Likud hard-liner who was Israel's ambassador to the United Nations before he quit last year to run for the Knesset. The letter writers also took exception to how Sharansky has been characterized by the media. Describing him as a "dissi- dent and not a Jewish activist is no less than amazing," they wrote. For Fifth Graders, Their Parents and Teachers SUNDAY, March 5 9:30 a.m. - noon at Temple Beth El Telegraph Road at 14 Mile Road Birmingham Free Admission Special Activities Featured Guest: Danny Siegel Internationally Known Mitzvah Mayven Co-Sponsored by: Temple Beth El Women's Division, Jewish Welfare Federation Jewish Experiences For Families THE UNDERCAR PRO CERTIFIED MECHANICS FREE SAFETY INSPECTION LIFETIME GUARANTEE motear Amster AMERICAN & FOREIGN CARS brakes. mufflers. shocks macpherson struts & more Joe Stamell proudly announces the acquisition of WearMaster Car Care Facility On Northwestern Hwy. in Farmington Hills to be operated as Dynamic WearMaster Featuring Brakes, Mufflers, Shocks, Front-End & Related Services Joe Stamell's DYNAMIC WEARMASTER 32661 Northwestern Hwy. Between 14 and Middlebelt On the West Side of the Street FARMINGTON HILLS 851-3883 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 35