AJC Survey Shows Growing Hawkishness NOAM M.M. NEUSNER Staff Writer T he most recent survey of American Jews paints a community growingly hawkish when it comes to Israel. Still, the report's authors say, Ameri- can Jews would respond positively to an Arab-Israeli peace settlement. The American Jewish Committee report, which was finished last September and released earlier this month, was directed by demographer Steven Cohen of Queens' College. Some of the responses from the 1,159 written question- naires were compared with 1989 data collected from a similar survey which show- ed a heightened interest in negotiations with Arab states for peace. That at- titude, the AJC survey The Gulf War has swung American Jews, especially Reform, to the right, behind Israel. showed, has diminished in the last two years, mainly because of the Gulf War: • In 1989, 62 percent agreed that the PLO is de- termined to destroy Israel. In the 1991 survey, 83 per- cent agreed. • Only 14 percent said that continued Israeli oc- cupation of the West Bank and Gaza erodes Israel's democratic character. In 1989, the number was 26 percent. • Two-thirds of the re- spondents said that the Gulf War proved the importance of the West Bank for "strategic depth." • Eighty percent said the United States government should not use foreign aid to influence Israel's bargaining position with the Arabs. • Sixty-two percent said the American news media exercises a double-standard in judging Israel, compared to its coverage of Arab nations. The study also revealed that the biggest shift to the political right occurred among Reform Jews, the highly educated, the unaf- filiated and liberals. Still, Orthodox Jews and com- munity activists remain the most hawkish. Two-thirds of the Orthodox respondents and over half of the activists said they are closely attach- ed to Israel. Politically, Democrats ap- pear to have won the con- fidence of American Jews with regard to Israel; 58 per- cent said the Democrats are "generally friendly" to the Jewish state. Only 24 per- cent could say that of the Republicans. George Bush has registered a mixed response from American Jews; 10 per- cent perceive him as un- friendly to Israel and 34 per- cent perceive him as friend- ly. Mr. Bush's Republican colleagues, Secretary of State James Baker and former Chief of Staff John Sununu, don't do as well; 23 and 39 percent said they were un- friendly to Israel, respective- ly. American Jewish percep- tions of Israeli politics ap- pear untouched by the swing to the right. While most could not distinguish bet- ween Israeli "hawks" and "doves," those who did favored the doves over the hawks, 35 to 28 percent. Almost half didn't know enough about the two groups to give an answer. Also, 83 percent of the re- spondents favored separa- tion of religion and state in Israel, and 52 percent said the Orthodox religious par- ties have too much power in the country. Steven Bayme, the associ- ate director of the AJC's In- stitute on American Jewish- Israeli Relations, said that American Jews appear am- bivalent about Israel's future. While the Gulf War dramatically illustrated Israel's security needs, American Jews still support direct negotiations between Israel and her Arab neighbors. This, he said, means that constructive negotiations — similar to the Egyptian-Israeli Camp David Accords — would dramatically swing Ameri- can Jewish opinion in sup- port of peace. "The ambivalence reflected among American Jews reflects a skepticism toward Arab intentions," said Mr. Bayme. "Symbolic gestures — for example, refusing to shake the hands of Israeli diplomats — sug- gest the absence of a clear commitment to accept Israel." r 41111111111, "Talt".`-zr-, Aor 4111111. ANL '92 900S CONVERTIBLE SEVERAL OTHER CONVERTIBLES IN STOCK (Stk. #S-21) NEW '92 SAAB 900 In stock for immediate delivery. (Stk. #S-38) HUGE SAVINGS! LARGEST INVENTORY! Plus tax, plates, destination charges Plus tax, plates,-destination charges OLDSMOBILE • SAAB • HYUNDAI OLDSMOBILE • SAAB • HYUNDAI On Telegraph at the Te1-12 Mall, Southfield On Telegraph at the Tel-12 Mall, Southfield 354-3300 354-3300 Ali prices phis tax, license. and freight. assigned to dealer rebates iLEV1N.IS FEAUTli NUPPLY DETROIT'S ORIGINAL UP TO 50% OFF ON ALL DESIGNER FRAGRANCES AND COSMETIC LINES DISCOUNTER LEVI N'S COSMETICS Buy 3 GET 1 *FREE* *Least expensive item free • Complete line of cosmetics, hair products & accessories • Over 1000 designer frangrances • All AT DISCOUNT PRICES! WEST Bloomfidd ON ORChARd LAkE RoAd 1 block SOUTh of MApLE IN ThE WEST BLOOMIIELd PLAZA 851-7323 M-S 9-6, SUN. 1 2- 5 OAk PARk 24695 COOLIdCIE AT 10 MILE RoAd 547-9669 M-S 9-6 SUN. 12-5 ❑ THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 15