Wow!
raeli Arab political leadership,
nor met with broad enthusiasm
from the grass roots. One of the
authors of the concept, Dr. Azmi
Bishara, a philosophy professor
at Bir Zeit University in the West
Bank and a researcher at
Jerusalem's Van Leer Institute,
says support is so far confined
mainly to Israeli Arab intellec-
tuals and journalists.
"When you ask most Israeli
Arabs if they are in favor of cul-
tural autonomy, they say no, be-
cause the word 'autonomy' scares
them. They think it means they
are going to be put back under Is-
raeli military law, or kicked out.
But if you ask them if they sup-
port the individual elements of
cultural autonomy, many of them
say yes," said Dr. Bishara.
He emphasized that cultural
autonomy insists on civil equali-
ty for Israeli Arabs, but without
an eagerness for integration into
the Jewish-dominated life of the
country.
"Israel is not getting less Jew-
ish, it is still the state of the Jews.
We want it to be the state of all
its citizens, but even if it becomes
so, it will always have two na-
tionalities," Dr. Bishara said.
Dr. Bishara said cultural au-
tonomy has absolutely no ambi-
tions for an Israeli Arab state. It
would be impossible, physically
and economically, and the popu-
lation doesn't want it.
On the other hand, it may be
too optimistic to assume that
Israeli Arabs will be ready to fully
integrate into the Jewish state any
time soon. There are ethnic,
national, religious and historical
tensions that government fund-
ing is not likely to smooth over. ❑
News
Young Israelis
Visit Austria
Vienna (JTA) — Austria's min-
ister for youth, family and envi-
ronmental affairs, believes that
Jewish youth with family ties to
Austria know both too little and
too much about her country.
That's why Maria Rauch-
Kallat invited a group of Israelis
with roots in Austria to come see
the country for themselves.
She extended the invitation
last spring when she was an of-
ficial guest of Yossi Sarid, Israel's
minister of the environment.
"I want these young people to
look for the roots of their own
family histories,' she said. 'This
confrontation with one's own past
is a big challenge because this
past was so painful."
The trip will include an exten-
sive tour of the Austrian
provinces, a rock concert and a
meeting with Vienna Mayor Hel-
mut Zilk.
Beaumont's delivering a new
FAMILY BIRTH CENTER !
Due date: Sept. 26, 1994
We talked to moms and dads, nurses and doctors about
what our Family Birth Center should be. We came
up with a center that offers the amenities of home
and the expertise of top obstetrical, pediatric
and newborn specialists.
Moms labor, deliver and recover in their
own private LDR room, decorated in warm
pastels. Mom and baby can then spend the
rest of their stay in one of our comfortable
new rooms. Designed with home in mind,
our rooms have full-size bathrooms,
hardwood floors, a television, refrigerator
and comfortable rocker-recliner for Dad.
All the comforts of home, with the assurance
of excellent medical care and capabilities.
That's Beaumont, Royal Oak ...
Michigan's most comprehensive
obstetrical service
in one convenient location.
YOU'RE INVITED to a special
open house for Beaumont, Royal Oak's
new Family Birth Center.
Come and see our newest delivery!
William Beaumont Hospital
DATE:
Saturday, Sept. 24
TIME: 1 - 4 p.m.
Call 1-800-633-7377
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