WOULDN'T ill 5e it it CAME UP ?ME AND HIE 7 KiGE Deporting The Truth There are times when Israel's leaders de- cide to risk the condemnation of the United States, the United Nations and the rest of the world in order to protect the security of the citizens of the Jewish state. Such a time occurred last week when, in response to the brutal murders of four Israeli soldiers and a border policeman, the Rabin govern- ment deported 415 suspected leaders and allies of Hamas, the Islamic fundamental- ist group whose avowed goal is the exter- mination of Israel and the Jewish religion. It was a strong move, particularly when the Mideast peace talks are floundering again, but the Rabin government is not run- ning a popularity contest. After numerous gestures made toward advancing the peace talks and proving that Israel was willing to go more than halfway in negotiating with the Arabs, Mr. Rabin decided that in this case extreme measures were necessary to thwart the increase in terrorism. The truth is that Hamas represents a grave threat to the more moderate Arab world in general and the Palestine Libera- tion Organization in particular because the fundamentalist group is becoming a stronger political force on the West Bank and in Gaza In private, the PLO is no doubt grateful for Israel's action, but the public response from Palestinian leaders is outrage against Israel and threats that the peace talks have been jeopardized. Who, though, has more to lose than the Palestinians if the peace talks shut down? Israelis are cynical, but not surprised, by the double standard of a United Nations con- demnation of the deportations that fails even to mention the terrorist murders of Israelis that precipitated Jerusalem's response. And where was the world outcry several months ago when Egypt cracked down on fundamentalists in a manner far more harsh than Israel, with mass arrests and author- ity to execute anyone belonging to a terror- ist group? In Israel's case, the deportations were for no more than two years, and they were al- lowed by the Supreme Court, which provides for court appeals. Hamas is violently opposed to the peace process, as well as Jewish life. "The war is open until Israel ceases to exist and until the last Jew in the world is eliminated," ac- cording to llamas soldiers. But because Is- rael is committed to seeing the Jewish people flourish, not disappear, it has taken the un- pleasant and unpopular step of deportation. The sad truth is that Israel much prefers the verbal attacks of all the world than the murder of but one of its citizens. Priorities Year 'Round This is a time of year when charitable orga- nizations don't have to look far for that extra volunteer, contribution or act of kindness. In- deed, on Christmas Day, many area Jews will be working in soup kitchens or volunteering so that a Christian friend or worker can have the holiday off. What is important to remember is that after January 1, area charities experience a huge drop-off in donations of all sorts. The donations they collect now often will not make it through the first quarter of 1993. It's almost as if the rest of us only equate homelessness and hunger from Thanksgiving through January 1. Those on the front lines of care for the needy tell us that dire conditions continue year- round. Surveys have shown that homelessness and domestic violence climb during the months of July and August. Landlords are more like- ly to evict a person behind in their rent when the weather isn't so cold. An angry and hurt- ing person might hit their child more often when the weather is hot and the job opportu- nities run cold. So please. As much we want to pat ourselves on the back for Christmas Day volunteering, for providing Thanksgiving meals and Chanukah joy, the bringing in of a new year unfortunately doesn't erase the need. The spir- it of the holiday should be as important and high a priority in mid-February and mid-June as it is in November and December. Dry Bones INDIAN 1-1 1 KMUS FIGHTINJG INIAAN mOSLkt-tS ? - r- A \\\ I ill ERG1-6s-rA KYI- CHRISTIANS F(Gt-ril MG OXTHotiC CHRISTIANS? SIGH REMEMBER -THE GODD OLD DAYS Wi-t6t.) LIKe rt- sEt-iet) Jews ot..)1,y WERE ONES 1.0-10 CouLl>ti'T GET OVER CUR eel - TY DiFF61261.)c&S r Letters Relief Efforts Are Supported CHAIM - Children of Holo caust - Survivors Association In Michigan gives its heart felt support to those aiding the refugees of Somalia. Acts which aid humanity, helping those facing imminent death from starvation, symbolizes a distinct departure from times past when the world turned its back on our people causing the suffering and deaths of millions of Jews. We continue to support these relief efforts and we en- courage others to do the same. Charles Silow President, CHAIM Grosse Pointe Council Appreciated Article We would like to thank The Jewish News for highlighting the Grosse Pointe Jewish Council in its Dec. 4 issue. As a result of the article we have received many calls from west side temples and orga- nizations. Our council of 130 families continues to grow as the word of our existence spreads to other Jews living on the east side, including St. Clair Shores, Mt. Clemens, War- ren, Detroit and Grosse Pointe. Since our inception, the strong relationships we have built with the Jewish Com- munity Council and the Fed- eration have helped us enormously. Our friends at the Agency for Jewish Edu- cation have been instrumen- tal in structuring our Sunday school, which provides a Jew- ish education to students through age 13. The Grosse Pointe Jewish Council is proud to be part of the greater metropolitan Jewish family. We are grate- ful for the support and expo- sure which The Jewish News provided our group. We look forward to reading of other developing Jewish communi- ties which exist on the pe- riphery of the core Jewish area. Karen Opdyke, Ron Feldman, Co-Presidents Peace Process Contradicts Policy The Bush-Baker so-called c-=" "Middle East Peace Process" I is a fraud. It is in direct con- tradiction to the historical and traditional U.S. foreign policy of opposing aggression. The Arabs are clearly the aggressors in the Middle c=, East; and Israel is clearly the victim. Therefore, instead of try- ing to force Israel to submit ti to insolent and unjustified ,) Arab demands, President Bush and Secretary Baker should be branding the Arabs as the aggressors and de- manding that they make peace on Israel's terms. Also, George Bush and James Baker should be telling the Arabs that they owe war damages and ter- rorism damages to Israel,— and that arrangements must be made to pay the same. President Bush and former Secretary of State Baker should be exposing the Arab claims to the West Bank and Gaza Strip as fraudulent, _z hypocritical, frivolous and without merit. The Palestin- ian-Arab land is not in the West Bank or Gaza Strip. It „2 is in Jordan, and has been there ever since Transjordan was separated from the British Palestine Mandate in 1921-1922. Therefore, it is ob- vious that the only place for the Palestinian state is in Jordan. The international commu- nity, the United Nations and paragraph two of Resolution 242 do not recognize the "ac- quisition of territory by war." Therefore, the Jordanian, Egyptian and Arab claims to the West Bank and Gaza are not valid because Transjor- dan (now Jordan) and Egypt c' "acquired" those two terri- tories "by war" in December 1947. Robert C. Ewing Santa Maria, Calif Let Us Know Letters must be concise, typewritten and double- spaced. Correspondence must include the signature, home address and daytime phone number of the writer.