Israel Policy
Candidates for
U.S. Senate
share their
views on Israel.
JENNIFER FINER
STAFF WRITER
acomb County Prosecutor
and U.S. Senate hopeful Carl
Marlinga is strongly opposed
to sending American aid to
the Arab nations. At the
same time, he favors giving
more assistance to Israel.
"Providing aid to the Arab
nations and strengthening
their military power could be
a threat to Israel," Mr. Mar-
linga said. "With the Israeli
government willing to take
more risks for peace, now
would be a good time to in-
crease aid to Israel and assist
the Israeli government in being
stronger economically and mili-
tarily."
Mr. Marlinga is one of eight
U.S. Senate candidates vying for
the seat left open by Donald
Riegle's retirement. De-
mocratic candidates are
William Brodhead, Bob
Can, Joel Ferguson, John
Kelly, Lana Pollack and
Mr. Marlinga. The Repub-
licans are Spencer Abra-
ham and Ronna Romney.
All say it is important for
the United States to main-
tain its funding and ties
with Israel.
As members of Con-
gress, Bob Carr and Bill
Brodhead both have solid
voting records on Israel
and have voted against
cuts in aid to the state.
Mr. Can, a representa-
tive from East Lansing,
was elected to Congress in
1974. He lost his seat in 1980 and
won it back two years later.
Mr. Brodhead served four
years in the Michigan House be-
fore his election to the U.S. House
in 1974. He left Washington eight
years later, saying he wanted to
spend time with his two small
children.
Mr. Brodhead discussed Is-
rael's need for assistance to help
absorb the large number of im-
migrants who settle there. He
said he would be in favor of fi-
nancially assisting Arab coun-
tries who support peace.
"We have to be careful with re-
spect to the Palestinians," Mr.
Brodhead said. "If they demon-
strate their commitment to peace,
we can help then financially. But
they must be committed and re-
nounce terrorism."
Joel Ferguson, a Lansing busi-
ness owner and developer and of our government," Sen. Pollack
The other Republican, Ronna
chairman of the Michigan State said. "The United States should Romney, a radio talk show host,
University Board of Trustees, assist economically depressed described her political ideology
said the United States should aid Palestinian areas with aid, in- as similar to former President
the Arab nations.
vesting in job-creating industries Ronald Reagan.
"If we want to have any cred- and good schools for Palestinian
Ms. Romney said she believes
ibility with them, we are going to children. Creating better educa- in support for Israel because its
have to give them money, also," tional and economic opportuni- ideologies are similar to those of
Mr. Ferguson said. "I don't think ties is vital to peace."
the United States.
it should be an either/or situation.
Spencer Abraham, who is the
"I also believe very strongly
If their standard of living is in- second generation of a Lebanese that America must work to main-
creased, Israel will be less of a
immigrant family, also favors tain Israel's qualitative military
threat."
maintaining the alliance between edge against the overwhelming
Mr. Ferguson does not favor the United States and Israel. He Arab quantitative advantage. To
providing aid to countries that
maintain deterrence, Israel
requires an air force that can
defeat the combined Arab air
forces before they launch an
attack. So, I am opposed to
arms sales to Arab states if
such sales threaten Israel's
military edge."
John Kelly, who is serving
his fourth term in the Michi-
gan Senate, advocates de-
militarization of the Golan
Heights and creating a joint
water authority in that area.
The candidates hold dif-
ferent opinions on the role of
the United States in the Mid-
dle East.
"The U.S. should act as a
catalyst to maintain the
progress of the negotiations,
but should not impose any so-
lution on the negotiating par-
ties," Mr. Marlinga said. "Our
government can play a role in
encouraging peace treaties be-
tween Israel and its neighbors,
and in seeing the elimination of
the economic boycott of Israel.
If we clearly articulate our de-
Above is Bob Carr, top right is
William Brodhead and bottom left is
sire for a strong and safe Israel
Joel Ferguson.
as our primary goal, the Arab
nations will have to come to the
sponsor terrorism.
table. There is no Mother Rus-
Mr. Marlinga's views on aid
sia to fly back to."
to Arab nations differs signifi-
'What is the bottom line for
cantly.
Israel to be secure?" Sen. Pol-
"It's a tough call," Mr. Mar-
lack said. "We need to evaluate
linga said. "If Israel comes to the
the situation there every year
United States and says some aid
so we can look at things in the
should be given to the PLO, then
context of the reality of the time.
I'd be willing to see the U.S. help,
The U.S. can and should play a
on the grounds that Israel knows supports continuing current lev- role in future negotiations."
what is better for long-term se- els of aid to Israel.
In the wake of the peace agree-
curity in the Middle East."
Mr. Abraham is a Harvard ed- ment between Israel and the
Lana Pollack, the only Jewish ucated attorney who chaired the PLO, candidates discussed where
candidate and a 12-year veteran state Republican Party from the United States fits in assist-
of the state Senate, said she op- 1983-91. In 1990, he was ap- ing both parties and fostering fu-
poses military aid and sales to pointed as former Vice President ture negotiations.
Saudi Arabia and other Arab Dan Quayle's deputy chief of
"We need to do things to main-
states.
staff. He was in the White House tain Israel's confidence level in
"Putting more arms into the the night Operation Desert terms of negotiating with Israel's
world is not in the best interest Storm was launched in 1991.
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