The World:
Defending, Politically
Former IDF chief
Lipkin-Shahak, a possible
candidate for prime
minister, endorses pact.
Your Deck House
or Acorn Home
• Open Interiors • Wall of Glass
• Post and Beam Construction
• Fine Wood Craftsmanship
JULIE WIENER
Staff Writer
For information about Deck House & Acorn Homes:
Contact: Elite Builders, Authorized Builders of Deck House and Acorn Homes
1-800-557-5647 • 248-553-3749
www.deckhouse.com
DECK HOUSE
INCORPOR A T E D
ngAny body Else Sells
obody
vi Services
.
isc is °.
iiffW •••••••
:
aranmasft,„,
THERE IS A DIFFERENCE.
WEINTRAUB JEWELERS
In-store Spec als Everyday
Sunset Strip 29536 Northwestern Hwy.
Southfield •
ell
24815/-4000
Hours: Mon.-Sot. 10-5
4,
-:\\ I
\t°
Diply w i Ni ■ S
286 Maple • Birmingham • 248-540-1977
sanolb uaai6 g sesseibuns poo
Aaleanns 4iu>i puey e
slleieno padp15
a y e llow s l ic ker
05 a blue bathing suit with a bow G a leather bomber 6 polka-dot shorts
wJem
Heating & Air Conditioning
10/30
1998
Carrier
56 Detroit Jewish News
R
polls show Lieutenant
General Amnon Lipkin-
Shahak more popular
among Israeli voters than
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.
However, the recently retired chief of
staff of the Israel Defense Forces isn't
quite ready to take on his former boss.
He told The Jewish News this week he is
more interested in business than in run-
ning for office right now, although, he
added, "I didn't close this option."
Lipkin-Shahak, 54, was in Detroit
Tuesday night speaking at a parlor
meeting benefiting Michigan Friends of
the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
In a brief speech at the Bloomfield
Hills horrie of Linden and Michelle
Nelson; Lipkin-Shahak endorsed the
Wye River agreement signed between
Israel and the Palestinian Authority last
week. But he noted that "the so-called
peace process" started several agree-
ments ago, and that more agreements
loom ahead before anything is finalized.
"This isn't the first agreement and it
won't be the last one," he told the
approximately 100 major donors assem-
bled, surrounded by 30-foot wide origi-
nal paintings and enormous glass win-
dows. "All that's been done is the easy
part."
Lipkin-Shahak said he was con-
cerned about some details of the agree-
ment and was unsure how issues like
the status of Jerusalem or the fate of
Jewish settlers in Palestinian-controlled
areas will be resolved, but "much more
important than the details is that we're
moving ahead," he said.
"What are the alternatives if we want
to continue to build Israel economically
and socially and make it an attractive
place for more Jews to settle?" he asked,
adding that the conflict with the
Palestinians has far-reaching implica-
tions for Israel's relations with other
Arab countries and the entire Middle
East.
"The most disturbing thing and the
main mistake the Palestinians did in the
past few years was not to be strong
enough in fighting terrorist activities
coming from their areas of responsibili-
ty," said Lipkin-Shahak. "The only
thing that can block peace is if the
ecent
Palestinian people and leaders don't do
their utmost to prevent terrorist activi-
ties against Israel."
- Despite his reservations, Lipkin-
Shahak said that Israelis owed it to
themselves to make a good faith effort
to achieve peace. "The chance to have
an agreement to live side by side is very
high and we can do it. If it's not going
to work, at least we can say we did the
utmost. -
Lipkin-Shahak also stressed the IDF's
importance as a social "melting pot," for
uniting the diverse — and often polar-
ized — groups within Israeli Jewish
society.
The major donors at Tuesday's event
ranged from cautiously optimistic about
the peace process to downright jaded.
"I'm optimistic," said Gary Alan.
"What the general said is we want
peace, and it's up to [the Arabs] now If
they want it, it will happen."
"Time will tell," said Henry Lee. "I
personally don't have the confidence in
the Arab community and don't know
what will come but will try to be an
incurable optimist."
"I'd like to believe there's good faith
on both sides but I don't," said
Sheldon Gilbert. "I have to admit I'm
a bigoted person about Arabs. I don't
trust them. It's easy to sign your name,
but I don't think the Arabs want to
implement it and I'm also -not sure
Israel wants to."
Gilbert's wife, Betty, was more opti-
mistic. "I certainly hope it works
because we need to get some agree-
ment."
An Israeli American woman who
didn't want her name used was more
cynical. ``I wish I could trust this would
work out. I would like it to work, but I
have my doubts. I don't know that ter-
rorism is going to stop, and what's a
peace agreement without stopping ter-
rorism?"
The Gilberts found Lipkin-Shahak
less dynantic than Netanyahu. "He
doesn't strike sparks like Netanyahu
does," said Sheldon Gilbert.
"Sometimes I like Netanyahu, some-
times I don't, but he makes me react
and this guy doesn't."
"This general seems softer toned,"
said Betty Gilbert. "He doesn't have the
heat and anger that we had prior to
this."
Lee was more enthusiastic: "He's an
exciting guy. 1 would love to see him be
part of the political scene."
Michigan Friends of the IDF raises
finds to meet the social, educational
and recreational needs of active duty
Israeli soldiers. It aims to raise $1.2 mil-
lion in 1998.
❑
41.