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Learning To Talk

0 ur cover story this week explores the growing sense among this nation's
3.5 million Arab Americans that they are a community with distinct
interests and common ties who have earned and deserve political respect.
While far from being able to exercise the kind of influence that the
Jewish community has been able to build over the last half century, Arab Americans
have started to make their voices heard. And what they are most consistently saying
is that American policy in the Middle East needs to be reevaluated to give more full
consideration to the needs of the Arab world.
The question is whether the Jewish community should consider this a threat or
an opportunity. We hold with the latter, and say it is an opportunity we should be
glad to seize with one proviso:
That Arab American leaders here define
those needs on the basis of their experience in
a Western democracy rather than simply
repeating the historic half-truths and propa-
ganda that are the staple of too many Arab
nations.
A new administration is taking office at a
time when the process that might have led to
a sustainable peace agreement between Israel,
the Palestinians and the rest of the Arab world
has effectively halted. We have admired the
energy and commitment that President Bill
Clinton has brought to the task, but it seems
to have reached a natural ending with both
sides knowing they cannot now find a truly
common ground. President-elect George W.
Bush and Secretary of State-designate Colin
Powell are going to have to figure out what they want the U.S. role to be for the
next four years.
In doing so, they should certainly listen to what responsible Arab American lead-
ership has to say, just as they should listen to the Jewish voices and recognize our
unswerving commitment to the indivisibility of Jerusalem and unacceptability of a
wholesale "right of return" for Palestinians who would try to destroy the Jewish
state. It may be wishful thinking, but perhaps Arab American leaders could drop
the illusory rhetoric about sweeping Israel into the sea and bringing all of Jerusalem
under Palestinian control. As second-and third-generation Americans, those leaders
have seen why a government based on law and respect for individual freedom cre-
ates lasting peace and prosperity in ways that the typical Arab autocracy cannot.
Instead of echoing the line of Arab intransigence, they could be a voice of reason
that promotes a sensible accommodation to the economic, military and political
realities of the Mideast.

Dry Bones

r- n4E mom

2001

WAS ABOUT

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TERRORISM

Arab Americans
should speak out
forcefully to
condemn the use
of violent
terrorism.

Addressing Terrorism

We also think Jewish leaders should join with their Arab American counterparts in their
second most common request — for an end to domestic government practices that
stereotype Arabs as potentially violent provocateurs. Jailing immigrants on the basis of
secret evidence" presented to judges, but not shared with the immigrant's lawyer has
been widely and sometimes improperly used against Arabs. That should stop.
In return, we think Arab Americans should speak out forcefully to condemn the
use of violent terrorism both in the Mideast and in the rest of the world. If they are
serious about showing why they deserve a place of respect at the American political
table, an unequivocal condemnation of practices such as blowing up naval ships,
embassies and school buses would be a powerful proof of maturity.
The American Jewish community would happily join with Arab American lead-
ers in drafting just such a statement. It might be a wonderful exercise that could
lead to further understanding between two groups who need not always think of
themselves as natural enemies.
Besides, if we can't find way to talk peacefully and responsibly here, what kind of
message are we sending to Israel and the Arab world where the issues and emotions
are so tough and terrible? ❑

"

Related cover package: page 6

LITTERS

Let Us Learn From
Hatred At School

It saddens me greatly that there is
spillover of the Middle East con-
flict in our local neighborhood
schools ("Nipped In The Bud,"
Jan. 5, page 12).
It is my hope that the fifth-
graders' parents and the Bloomfield
Hills school officials will be suc-
cessful in their work in teaching
that words do hurt and that intol-
erance has no place in our commu-
nity.
But there is a lesson for us
adults, too. We all need to take the
responsibility to promote civil dis-
course and democratic values. We
must all learn to live together with
respect and tolerance. In our vil-
lage, we must all use words careful-

ly and sensitively. That is the
American way.
Sharona Shapiro

Michigan director,
American Jewish Committee
Bloomfield Township

Rabbi Tendler
A Halachic Giant

Your story on the Halachik Organ
Donor Association and its purpose
was most valuable ("Keeping
Faith," Dec. 29, page 14). It publi-
cized the educational mission and
purpose of our group.
I would like to point out that
Rabbi Moshe Tendler, whom you
describe as being a prominent
rabbi, is known amongst the

LETTERS on page 32

1/12

2001

