Remember
When
A Friendly Voice
The Detroit News editorial page under Nolan Finley
has become a vocal supporter of Israel.
DON COHEN
Special to the Jewish News
Nir hen it comes to the
Arab-Israeli conflict,
metro Detroit's most
passionate voices come
from the Jewish, Arab and Muslim
communities — and from Nolan
Finley, editorial page editor of the
I do have strong feelings about who
is right and who is wrong here, and I
guess that is a motivator.
assigned sinister motives; we have no
hostility to the Arab American com-
munity. We have criticized Israel, but
overall we take a position of support
for Israel in this dispute.
How have you developed your posi-
tions on Israel and Middle East
On what issues have you criticized
issues?
Israel?
There are two issues here: the edito-
We have repeatedly asked them to
rial position of the newspaper and my
stop construction on the West Bank.
column.
We were concerned when [Prime
Because I am editorial page editor,
Detroit News.
Minister Ariel] Sharon was elected
they run fairly parallel, but my col-
Finley has built his career at the
that he might be unnecessarily divisive
umn is not to be confused with the
newspaper. He started 25 years ago as
and an obstacle to peace, and we've
official position of the paper. That is
a copy boy, then became a reporter,
been uncomfortable with the assassi-
the role of the editorial...
business editor, political editor and
nations.
As
an
editorial
board
we
continue
to
deputy managing editor in charge of
But if I had to sum up our position,
meet
extensively
with
groups
on
both
the newsroom.
we
believe that if it were up to Israel,
Eighteen months ago, he was named sides of this issue ... We approach this
there would be peace in
the same way we
editorial page editor. Since then —
the Middle East. I think
approach every issue we
and particularly since Sept. 11 —
that was made evident a
deal with, without an ide-
Finley has distinguished himself as an
year
ago. Israel didn't start
ological bias. Our task is
outspoken champion of Israel in its
this round of violence. I
simply
to
examine
the
fight against terrorism. He's turned
reject the argument that
facts in detail, and form
heads in both the Jewish and Arab
the occupation of the
an opinion on who is
communities with his columns. Who
West
Bank and Gaza is
right and who is wrong,
is this new voice taking such a strong
equivalent
to terrorism.
what is right and wrong,
public stand?
There
is
no
moral equiva-
and what should be done.
Finley comes from a Southern,
lency
here
—
to use a
I have no personal bias, I
Christian, Kentucky background that
term often thrown at me
just
think
it
is
the
right
didn't necessarily predispose him to
by the other folks.
any particular positions on the Middle position to take.
We also reject the argu-
And
everyone
should
East — a region he one day hopes to
ment
that this is about
realize there is a very
visit. But it's clear he has developed
Nolan Finley
highly
armed troops
thick wall between the
definite stances.
(against)
stone-throwing
editorial and the news
folks.
Obviously,
it
wasn't
stones that
How did you get to be so outspoken side. The editorial side in no way
brought down that discotheque or
influences
our
reporting.
on Middle Eastern issues?
blew up that pizzeria. We think the
I think that events mandate outspo-
attacks on Israel are the moral equiva-
What
do
you
think
of
the
criticism
kenness ... I started in this job just
lent of the attack on the World Trade
you've received?
prior to President Clinton starting his
Center.
My columns have upset some folks.
intervention in the peace talks. That
Some folks have misread them as
ended and the violence — the cam-
How has Sept. 11 affected the
being hateful, or even racist. I think
paign of violence — began ... And
debate on terrorism and the Middle
that
goes
with
the
territory
when
you
then came Sept. 11 and its tremen-
East peace process?
deal
with
an
emotionally
charged
dous impact on events in the Middle
I've personally been dismayed that
issue...
East.
instead
of making us more under-
I've decided not to be neutral. We
We also think it is an issue of great
standing
of what is faced by Israel, it
have to take a strong position. I'm
interest to readers. We have a large
has
almost
worked against Israel, and
sure if I took a different position, I'd
Arab American population, a large
has made us somewhat less clear in
be
getting
something
similar
from
the
Jewish American population; both
our support...
Jewish community. I think it's unfor-
groups have very emotional ties to the
tunate
that
people
have
read
this
and
A FRIENDLY VOICE on page 40
region.
From the pages of The Jewish News
for this week 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50
years ago.
1991
Sara's in Oak Park, Michigan's only
full-service kosher restaurant,
reported being in danger of closing
due to debts.
Israel's Sephardic chief rabbi
ordered every Jewish couple in the
Diaspora to be tested for AIDS
before marriage.
1981
Some 8,000 diamond workers
staged a demonstration at the
Histadrut building in Tel Aviv.
Southfield resident Shirlee Iden,
suburban life editor of the
Southfield Eccentric, won honorable
mention in the Penney-Missouri
Competition for her section.
1971
A hand-grenade with a timing
device was found and safely disman-
tled after being removed from the
Central Bus Terminal in Tel Aviv.
Detroiters Miriam and Samuel
Hamburger were presented with
the Israel Prime Minister's Medals
by Shimon Peres at the Sheraton
Cadillac Hotel in Detroit.
Detroiter David Leib, owner of
Mill Floor Coverings, was elected
president of the Detroit Floor
Coverings Association.
1961
A French archaeologist unearthed a
10,000-year-old village in the
Huleh area of Israel.
Jewish and Catholic memorial
ceremonies were held at the site of
the Nazi internment camp near
Modena.
1951
Homes of five prominent Jewish
families in Denver were wrecked
when a B-29 crashed in the Jewish
Hiltop Section.
For $2,141 plus tax, you could
purchase a new Buick from Jack
Markowitz at Carson Buick on
Hamilton in Detroit.
—Compiled by Sy Manello,
editorial assistant
12/14
2001
39