SEPTEMBER 7& 8 PRAISE page 131 SATURDAY lOAM - 6PM, SUNDAY 10AM - 5PM THE U S A & CA N SHAIN PARK, BIRMINGHAM front-line combat units and 18 percent of whom serve as officers. To be sure, the latter figure is low- er than it used to be, but it is still over twice as high as for the pop- ulation as a whole. The same willingness to serve is also evident among modem Or- thodox youth, or the "knit kippah" crowd, who have suffered far Arabs Claim Disney Stereotypes FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CALL 810-456-8150 In the Aladdin controversy, the Los Angeles (JTA)— Arab Amer- icans have charged the Walt Dis- Anti-Defamation League publicly ney company with alleged backed the Arab position, but not Arab-bashing and defamatory this time. "We did think that the lyrics in stereotypes in two Disney films. A spokesman for the American- Aladdin were problematic, and Arab Anti-Discrimination Com- said so," said David Lehrer, re- mittee, which organized a protest gional ADL director. "But the cur- outside the Disney studio in Bur- rent protest looks like a bank, Calif , said in an interview broad-scale attack on Disney and he did not believe that there was the movie industry, and we will a "Jewish cabal" in Hollywood or- not participate in it." However, Sanford Weiner, a chestrating negative portrayals of veteran local federation and Arabs. But Don Bustany of the ADC American Jewish Congress lay said he "presumed" that the three leader, said he fully agreed with top Disney executives, Michael the protesters' dismay at the por- Eisner, Michael Ovitz and Joe trayal of "Habib" in Father of the Bride. Roth, were Jewish. "I saw the film in a sneak pre- "I don't believe that the Disney executive board sits down to fig- view and was outraged," said Mr. ure out how to get the Arabs," Mr. Weiner. "It was a despicable por- Bustany said. "However, there trayal. If the character had been may be a tacit agreement among labeled as Jewish, there would some supporters of Israel, who be- have been protests all over the lieve that by vilifying Arabs they place." John Dreyer, Disney's head of help Israel." Mr. Bustany did not call for a corporate relations, declined to boycott of Disney films, as did con- comment on any aspect of the con- servative Protestant groups, troversy. Meanwhile, Salaam Al-Maray- which recently objected to the stu- dio granting health insurance ben- ati, director of the Muslim Public efits to partners of gay employees. Affairs Council in Los Angeles, is The protesters' ire was direct- trying to get the attention of the ed against two recent Disney pro- film industry in another way. He is organizing a Sept. 13 con- ductions, Kazaam, starring Shaquille O'Neal, which includes ference for Hollywood marketing various Arab villains. Among executives to give them "a more them is a black marketeer named sophisticated understanding of Malik, which is Arabic for "own- Arab culture, which is a subset of the Muslim world," he said. er," Mr. Bustany said. Mr. Al-Marayati will also dis- Last year's Father of the Bride, Part II, introduced a nasty, sharp- cuss how to market films and dealing neighbor named Habib, a videos in Islamic countries. So far, character not found in the book Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks and Warner Bros. have accepted, on which the film was based. ADC officials also charged that but Mr. Al-Marayati said he had Disney executives had broken an not heard from Disney and oth- oral promise to consult with the er studios. "Jews should be particularly organization in the portrayal of Arab and Muslim characters. The sensitive to ethnic stereotyping alleged promise was given three because they have suffered from years ago, after a flap over lyrics it for centuries," said Mr. Al- in the animated feature Aladdin. Marayati. "In a sense, Islam has replaced The offending lyrics were changed when the film was re- Judaism as the world's new vil- lain." leased in home videos. . Sponsored in part by Sinai Health Systems, Huntington Bank, Paramed, G. J. Perelli Company, St. Joseph Mercy - Oakland, The Shirley K. Schlafer Foundation, TBS Industrial Recycling, Inc. TM Observer Ircentric NEWSPAPERS There's only one way to sit on quality leather for less. •Dozen of styles T J E WI SH NEW S •Dozels of colors •Yu, Mks of rain FURNITURE DIRECT AIUJOI,IS The Right CC LIVONIA LLJ 32 more than their share of casual- ties in recent years. It would be better, of course, were there no causalities, were there no need for compulsory mil- itary service. But that day won't come any time soon. And unless Israeli youth stand ready to go on shouldering arms, it won't come at all. 0 30850 PLYMOUTH RD. WATERFORD/ WEST BLOOMFIELD 7570 COOLEY LAKE RD. (Between Middlebelt & Merriman) (East of Union Lake) Ph. 313.266.5400 Ph. 810.363.2800 Price! MON - FRI 10-9 SAT 10 - 6 SUN 1 2 - 5 12 MONTHS SAME AS CASH CND