WHATEVER THE BOOK SAYS YOUR TRADE IS WORTH $ MEL FARR WILL PAY 7 I NEWS I * PLUS . . DRIVE ANY OF THESE CARS FOR JUST 1/ THE PRICE!* / 2 FORD Mel Farr Ford 9 NN.29 24750 Greenfield Rd. Oak Park, MI 48237 MARK NESSEL NEW '91 ESCORT DRIVE TODAY AT 1/ PRICE! NEW '91 TAURUS . DRIVE TODAY =1: `, AT 1/ PRICE! ••••• /2 Mel Farr Toyota TOYOTA 333•3300 1951 S. Telegraph Rd. Bloomfield Hills, MI 48013 JAY PUZIO NEW '90 CELICA DRIVE TODAY AT 1/ PRICE! /2 NEW '90 CAMRY .gY DRIVE TODAY AT 1/ PRICE! /2 MERCURY Mel Farr Lincoln Mercury 683•9500 LI NCOLN 4178 Highland Road (M-59 near Pontiac Lake Road) WATERFORD LOU GORDON OR MICKEY GOLDBERG NEW '90 TOWN CAR DRIVE TODAY .......... - gr AT 1/ PRICE! /2 NEW '90 CONTINENTAL DRIVE TODAY AT 1/ PRICE! • The Plan is available at all 3 Mel Farr locations. All Fords, Mercurys, Uncolns and Toyotas qualify for 1/2 Price Program. • The Plan is a Company Authorized 2 year lease previously unavailable. See dealer for details. Customer must qualify, New '90 and '91 vehicles in stock only. 1/2 Price refers to MSRP. Prior sales excluded. Offer ends two weeks after last ad. 36 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990 New Erosion Surfaces In Support For Israel IRA RIFKIN Special to The Jewish News A significant erosion in support for Israel has for the first time become noticeable among conservative Christian groups, who are increasingly critical of Israeli govern- ment actions. While liberal Christian support for Israel has long been problematic, conser- vative Christians have in the past solidly backed the Jewish state. However, both Jewish and Christian leaders involved in inter- faith dialogue say that back- ing has been significantly undercut in recent months by Israel's perceived im- proper handling of the ongo- ing intifada and such in- cidents as the recent erup- tion of violence on Jerusalem's Temple Mount, which resulted in the deaths of at least 17 Arabs. The Good Friday eve at- tempt by rightwing Jews to take over a Greek Orthodox- owned building in the Chris- tian Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City was also singled out by those interviewed as hav- ing been particularly unset- tling to many conservative American Christians. "It's a very serious matter," said Leon Klenicki, director of interfaith affairs for the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith. "One has to remember that this is a very Christian nation. Conservative Christians may not have the same public profile as they had during the Reagan ad- ministration, but they still play an important role in the American political process." "It's getting cold out there in regard to Israel," added Rabbi A. James Rudin, na- tional director of inter- religious affairs for the American Jewish Com- mittee. "Whatever capital of goodwill we had stored up is being eaten into." The drop in conservative Christian support is evident among both conservative Roman Catholics and evangelical Protestants, ac- cording to those interviewed. Particularly worrisome, said Rabbi Klenicki, is the criticism of Israel being heard from conservative Catholic bishops who Ira Rifkin, is an assistant editor at The Baltimore Jewish Times. previously did not involve themselves in Middle East affairs. The Good Friday eve building takeover, which was clandestinely financed by the Israeli government, prompted a riot in the Old City, the unprecedented closing of Christian religious shrines and an international condemnation of Israel. It also led some conservative Christians to conclude that Israel had sanctioned an "anti-Christian crusade," Rabbi Klenicki said. However, Paul D. Borman, president of the Detroit Jew- ish Community Council, ex- pressed skepticism toward "It's getting cold out there in regard to Israel." Rabbi A. James Rudin reports of weakening sup- port. "I don't know of any lessening" of Christian sup- port, he said. "What I would call the radical or leftwing clergy was there before and they're getting more press right now about their posi- tion, but I don't think there is a backing off of support otherwise." Allan Gale, associate di- rector of the Council, said that "we haven't seen any evidence locally of right- wing Christians lessening their support, although we haven't seen much of that support ever. "The evidence I have, from the few letters to the editor we've seen and the contacts with the fundamentalist community we have, are that the support is as strong as ever. In fact, at the recent political party conventions this past September, we had contact with fundamenta- lists who are willing to work with us" in regard to Israel. "I don't think this (lessen- ing of support) is a trend," said Mr. Gale. "It really seems to be a story of 'Is the glass half-full or half- empty?' " Brian O'Connell, an inter- national relations research associate for the National Association of Evangelicals, a loose umbrella group rep- resenting about 15 million conservative Protestant Christians, said that "the vast majority" of evangelicals, still strongly support Israel for a variety