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"Right now, the climate for im- feel a strong religious compulsion
migrant and refugee programs is to support Israel. Mr. Granot's
terrible," said a Capitol Hill job is to reach out to those com-
munities, without being dis-
staffer involved in the debate.
"Probably the best we can hope tracted by the question of exact-
for is a delay, and the possibili- ly what motivates this support.
According to Mr. Granot, the
ty that the public will get off this
anti-immigrant kick. But rm not surprising development of a vi-
able peace process has had the
very optimistic."
most impact on mainline Protes-
tant denominations, which tend-
ed to be vocal critics of the poli-
cies of past Likud governments.
"With the continuing peace
process and the signing of the
Howard University, one of the na- agreement in September, that
tion's premier black colleges, has whole outlook has changed," he
been the subject of much un- said.
wanted publicity in recent
"Now, the questions they ask
months, thanks to the growing is how we can cooperate, how we
popularity on campus of Nation can work together, not 'you're do-
of Islam figures like Khalid Ab- ing this wrong, that wrong."'
dul Muhammed.
Evangelical Christians, many
But the school has also been of whom supported a more hard-
part of a pioneering collaboration line policy, are wary about the im-
with the Israeli embassy in plications of the recent agree-
Washington that seeks new so- ments on Israeli security — but
lutions for America's troubled still generally support the bold
cities.
decisions of the Rabin govern-
Last week, some 80 scholars, ment, according to Mr. Granot.
social workers and government
How does an Israeli Jew deal
officials attended a joint seminar with Christian leaders whose love
at the embassy that explored in- for Israel is often based on bibli-
novative Israeli programs for cal prophecy requiring a tor-
dealing with troubled and disad- mented, strife-ridden Israel as
vantaged children, and how they a precursor to the "last days?"
could be applied to the American
"I can't be a spokesperson for
context.
the evangelical community," he
The program included the pre- said. "I would not try to explain
sentation of academic papers on their theology. But their empha-
families in crisis in this country sis has always been on Israel be-
and in Israel.
ing immensely strong. I remind
"In Israel we have developed them that by participating in the
very important programs for de- negotiations, Israel is showing
veloping parenting skills for dis- her strength."
advantaged, multi-problem fam-
He also has to deal with the
ilies with children at risk," said fact that many of the religious fig-
Dorit Eldar, a social worker now ures he deals with are also in-
serving as the embassy's com- volved in efforts to convert Jews
munity and women's affairs at- to Christianity.
tache. "We feel that these are pro-
"Speaking very frankly: before
grams that are very much I was a diplomat, I was a Jew,"
relevant to the social problems in he said. "I cannot forget that. We
American cities."
all have red lines that we
shouldn't cross . I make it very
clear to everyone in the Christ-
ian community: If you look at me
as a target for conversion rather
than as a partner for dialogue,
Avie Granot, a 44-year-old career there's no room to talk."
Mr. Granot spends about one
diplomat, arrived in Washington
third
of his time on the road, vis-
two years ago to serve as Israel's
counselor for interreligious affairs iting communities around the
just as the Middle East peace country and building new con-
talks were beginning to trans- tacts with religious and ethnic
form Israel's entire diplomatic leaders — often helping them
learn more about programs in Is-
universe.
Mr. Granot, a witty and eru- rael that may be useful in their
dite man whose father was res- own communities.
That kind of reaching beyond
cued from a Nazi concentration
camp by Oskar Schindler, de- traditional diplomacy, he said,
scribed his job with characteris- helps cement U.S.-Israeli ties —
and it indirectly helps American
tic wit.
Jews
deal with their non-Jewish
"Israel is known for having
very good intelligence services," neighbors.
"Israel is moving fast," he said.
he said. "A few years ago, we sent
the best of our team to the Unit- "We believe that we can afford
ed States, and they came to the now to open our eyes and our out-
stirring conclusion that there are looks to the vastness of the world
a few more Christians than Jews around us."
Serving in Israel's diplomatic
in this country."
corps
at this dramatic juncture
And many of those Christians
‘
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