H HURRY, DON'T MISS OUT ON YOUR best summer ever! 1997 JCC Summer Camps toW•0004§1 A season of change Yassir Arafat /-' /— leader's pitiful performance in re- cent months has incensed U.S. of- ficials and generated dark fears about the future of the peace process. But they have been reluctant to openly squeeze Mr. Arafat be- cause of their unwillingness to ap- ply even modest pressure on Mr. Netanyahu — and because of their fear that the Israeli leader will interpret criticisms of Mr. Arafat as U.S. approval of his own policies. That dynamic was never clear- er than in the administration's pokey response to the recent de- cision by Mr. Arafat's government to impose the death penalty on Palestinian land dealers who sell to Jews, a proclamation accom- panied — according to Israeli au- thorities — by the creation of Palestinian Authority-sanctioned death squads. Administration spokesmen commented on the killings only when pressed by reporters, and then only in the most moderate of terms. They have likewise been quiet about a recent internal Palestinian audit suggesting that almost half of the money supplied by donor countries to the PA has been squandered through ineffi- ciency and outright corruption, and on reports depicting a perva- sive pattern of human rights abus- es by Mr. Arafat's minions. Part of the reason for that si- lence is simply the perception that Mr. Arafat is the only game in town when it comes to negotia- tions with Israel; squeeze Mr. Arafat, they believe, and his po- sition will be weakened, opening new doors for those Palestinians who reject negotiations altogeth- er. But another factor involves the strange three-way interaction be- tween Washington, Jerusalem and Gaza. U.S. officials believe that ratcheting up the pressure on Mr. Arafat will be seen in Jerusalem as a nod to the Israeli government's policies, and result in demands by Mr. Netanyahu for still more pressure on the Palestinians — just as they be- lieve official criticisms of Mr. Ne- tanyahu will produce new demands by Mr. Arafat, not a re- turn to the negotiating table. Raw politics is a factor, as well. "The bottom line right now in a variety of areas is fund-rais- ing," said a prominent Jewish political activist. 'The DNC [De- mocratic National Committee] is facing a huge deficit; there are worries about fund-raising for the 1998 congressional cam- paigns, and for [Vice President Al] Gore in 2000. Right now, there's a tremendous reluctance to do anything that might anger Jewish contributors." That means no pressure on Mr. Netanyahu, or at least the minimum pressure the admin- istration can get away with. And if they refuse to squeeze Mr. Ne- tanyahu, they can't possibly squeeze Mr. Arafat too hard without putting the last nail in the coffin of the U.S. role as "hon- est broker" in the talks. All of this suggests deep trou- ble for American efforts to re- suscitate the stalled talks. Washington is losing credibility with each side by refusing to re- spond to legitimate complaints about the other. The adminis- tration's growing timidity leaves a vacuum at the top of the peace process that the Europeans and the Egyptians are eager to fill — a shift that could promise new problems for Israel and new in- stability for a peace process that already stands on the brink of failure. LI JCC Summer Camps provide personal, social and educational development, while encouraging athletic involvement and increasing environmental awareness. Check out these exciting fun-filled Summer Camps at the JCC's West Bloomfield Maple/Drake (MO) and Oak Park Jimmy Prentle Morris (JPM) locations: • Pro-school Camp (MW and JPM) • Kindergarten - 1st Grade Camp (M/D and JPM) • Sports Fantasy Travel Camp for 7th - 10th Grads (M/0) • Pro Sports Camp for Ages 6 - 14 (M/D) • 2nd - 5th Grade Camp (M/D and JPM) • Tennis Camp for Ages 6 -14 (M/D) • One Week Specialty Camps for 1st - 5th Grades and 4th - 9th Grades (JPM) • Star Trax Dance Camp for 4th - 9th Grades (M/D) • Camper's Choice for 4th - 9th Grades (M/D) • Teen Travel Camp for 7th - 9th Grades (M/D) • Camp of the Arts for Ages 7 - 17 (M/D) • Pre-teen Travel Camp for 5th - 6th Grades (MO) Session Dates: Session I: June 25 July 17 Session II: July 21 August 14 - 11111•11 ■■ 1111111 - Camp Hours are from 9:30 a.m. 3:30 p.m. (Child care is available before and after these hours) - Busing included in camp cost!* For a detailed brochure, please call one of our two convenient locations in West Bloomfield (810) 661-1010 or Oak Park (810) 967-4030. Some restrictions may apply. The Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit 6600W. Maple goad • We Bloomfield, MI • 45522 / 15110 W. 10 Mile load • Oak Park, MI • 4E323 THE JEVVIIii--INEWS Call rlbe Sales Department (810) 354-7123 Ext. 209 Get Results... Advertise in our new Entertainment Section! 119