lb THIS ISSUE 60cP SERVING DETROIT'S JEWISH COMMUNITY Peace Now Is Trying To Regain Spotlight the radio reported the morning's events. Israel Correspondent On Sunday, Prime Minister Yit- zhak Shamir launched an attack on Jerusalem — A convoy of chartered busses and private cars was Peace Now, claiming it was trying to heading north on its way out of undermine the government's peace ef- Jerusalem last Saturday morning. Its forts, and arguing that the protest destination was an Arab village near group has no influence in Israel. A the West Bank city of Ramallah. Its Monday night television interview goal was to bring Israeli Jews program was devoted to discussing together with Palestinians in a "Day Peace Now. The group founded by army of Peace," as the event was called by reserve officers 11 years ago this its organizers, Peace Now The convoy was stopped by the month to pressure then-Prime Israel Defense Forces even before it Minister Menachem Begin to con- left Jerusalem. The day before, clude peace with Egypt once again is Defense minister Yitzhak Rabin de- getting Israel's attention. Group leaders say Peace Now clared the Day of Peace to be an (Shalom Achshav in Hebrew) is a unauthorized gathering amid threats from the Gush Emunim settler move- credible opposition group because it ment that its supporters would con- includes members of the highly re- duct demonstrations against the spected armed forces, academics and some prominent, if left-wing, politi- dialogue. So the cars and busses that clogg- cians. Peace Now also strives to act ed the road to Ramallah were turned within the law, allowing it to take the back. "There's no logic in it," com- high moral ground, leaders say. But until late last year, the group plained Hagit Ramin, -one of the bus riders. "The Arabs are cheering us that was able to bring 400,000 while the settlers are booing us. I Israelis into the streets in 1982 to pro- don't know who I should identify test the massacre of Palestinians in Beirut's Sabra and Shatilla refugee with." As the afternoon began, the camps was drifting without a clear demonstrators regrouped in an emp- direction, according to observers. All that has changed. On Satur- ty lot near the Damascus Gate in east day, according to a Peace Now Jerusalem. Leaders made short speeches in Hebrew and Arabic. spokesman, some 2,000 Israelis in Those who gathered sang songs, in- five convoys went out to meet the peo- cluding "We Shall Overcome." It was ple they have been battling for 15 all over by 1 p.m. when the news on Continued on Page 18 DAVID HOLZEL Federation Approves Refusenik Campaign The executive committee of the Jewish Welfare Federation of Detroit voted this week to mount an emergen- cy campaign in April on behalf of Soviet Jewish refugees. Called "Passage to Freedom" in concert with a national effort launched by the United Jewish Ap- peal, the Detroit campaign hopes to raise $2.5 million. The money will be used to resettle the refugees in the United States and Israel. Allied Jewish Campaign 1989 Chairmen Paul Borman and Jane Sherman will chair the Soviet Jewry appeal, which will be separate from the regular Campaign. The result Campaign officially closes April 12. The appeal for Soviet Jewry will begin immediately after- ward and conclude in 60 days. This year, some 40,000 Soviet Jews are expected to leave the Soviet Union. The financial drain on Jewish refugee relief agencies exceeds $75 million and could go higher, said Federation President Conrad Giles. The Joint Distribution Committee, which provides human services in the Rome and Vienna transmigrant centers, will run out of money for its assistance programs by the end of March and will be supported by loans until funds are made available through the campaign, Giles said. HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Continued on Page 20 MARCH 10, 1989 / 3 ADAR II 5749 CLOSE—UP Arava Oasis Former Detroiters have found a good life in one of Israel's most undeveloped regions. BUSINESS Hong Kong Middle East? Israel could become a major player on the world economic scene.