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Dry Bones
Mistaken Way On Defense
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resident George W. Bush is on the wrong
track in taking America out of the anti-
ballistic missile treaty. Israel is equally
wrong in encouraging U.S. efforts to
build the "Star Wars" defense that is the reason for
abandoning the treaty.
Neither country will be made safer by investing in
a system of land- or space-based weapons intended
to shoot down intercontinental ballistic missiles tar-
geted on the U.S. or Israel. Both countries are likely
to be put at greater risk by the new technologies
that will be developed as a counter-measure. They
will also be harmed because the billions and billions
spent on an ABM system would be better
used on domestic initiatives as well as to
boost intelligence operations and to encour-
age social justice and democracy in the
nations that pose a threat.
Nothing suggests that America has gotten very far
in the simple ABM testing it has so far conducted.
In the last test, earlier this month, the interceptor
rocket went off course moments after launch and
had to be destroyed in mid-flight. Not a single one
of the previous tests was 100 percent successful
against even a single incoming warhead. The odds of
being able to prevail against a multiple-warhead mis-
sile with a full set of decoys are vanishingly small.
Even less likely to succeed is the "Star Wars" effort
to position armed satellites so that they could use
laser beams to destroy missiles as they take off, dur-
ing the so-called boost phase. That looks good in
the James Bond movie Moonraker, but not in the
real world, where it would take thermonuclear
devices to power such lasers. Imagine the mess we
will make with testing those.
Some elements in Israel say it should be actively
joining American ABM efforts beyond what it is
already doing with the Arrow missile system. They
argue that Israel's proximity to sworn Arab enemy
states makes it particularly vulnerable to
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an attack by missiles even more sophisti-
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ARGUE
cated than the Scuds fired against it in
the Gulf War. Yes, Israel is exposed, but
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the distances are so small that no foresee-
able ABM system is going to prove effec-
tive in any case.
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The Arab world does understand that
Israel would retaliate for a nuclear attack
against Tel Aviv or Jerusalem by using
similar weapons against Arab capitals and
holy sites, including Mecca and Medina.
That reality should be enough to fore-
close nuclear attack.
Far more likely are terrorist
actions using chemical and
biological weapons of the type
that Iraq's Saddam Hussein
seems to be continuing to develop now
that the arms inspections have been aban-
doned. The best way to counter those
attacks will be to learn about them in
advance from on-the-ground intelligence.
Also effective will be continuing precise
strikes against the subterranean factories
where these weapons are being developed.
In the long run, the surest defense will
be to encourage a democratic opposition
to the dictatorships that, rather than
working effectively for the welfare of their
Israel's right to exist. And the fact that America is the
citizens, continue to target America and Israel. That
only superpower, economically as well as militarily,
means spending money on foreign aid programs
means many nations and factions will resent it.
that work. Congress approved a $15.6 billion
So both nations will need reliable and effective
Foreign Operations budget last week, a pitifully
spy systems. And they must maintain a moral
small amount of which actual foreign aid accounts
leadership that demonstrates real concern for the
for less than half the total.
well-being of other people. Neither can afford to
As surely as evil exists, the United States and Israel
be just a fortress counting on an anti-missile sys-
are always going to have enemies. The Arab-Muslim
tem that has little chance of working if the chips
world — with the exception of Jordan and maybe
come down.
Egypt — does not currently seem likely to accept
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EDITORIAL
❑
Walking With My Cousin
An accountant, Arthur realized years ago
0 vet a decade ago, my cousin
he wanted to live a more spiritual life —
Arthur Friedman departed Detroit
even more so than he could live in his north
with his family to live in
Oak Park neighborhood.
Jerusalem.
So Arthur, or "Aharon" as he is known by his
Ever since they left, I couldn't understand
Hebrew name, moved to Jerusalem, managing
how the Friedmans could give up the corn-
to retain his accounting practice by returning
fort of living near their extended family in
to Detroit four times a year. He spends most of
Detroit, or the affluence of living in the
the year, however, studying Torah in Jerusalem.
United States.
DAVI D
But what IA/as this powerful force com-
I couldn't understand until I saw for myself.
SACHS
pelling him there? What was this fervent spiri-
I had the chance to visit my cousin this
Senior
tualism he lives every day and every Shabbat?
month, after the United Jewish Communities'
Copy Editor
IsraelNow mission ended Thursday night,
Dec. 6 — my first trip to Israel.
Welcoming Shabbat
At the invitation of the Friedmans. I spent
Arthur picked me up Friday afternoon at Jerusalem's
Shabbat in their home. along with Richard
King David Hotel and drove me about a mile north
Rosenhaus of Farmington Hills. also on the mission.
to his apartment in the Arzei Habira neighborhood,
adjacent to the Mea Shearim district — both home
to many Orthodox Jews. On the ground level of his
apartment building are a kosher grocery and bakery.
Just steps away in the next building is a synagogue.
My first Jerusalem Shabbat began with a taxi ride
to the Jaffa Gate, and Arthur, wearing the long,
black, silky "bekesher" coat worn only on Shabbat
and yorn toy (holidays), took me on my first tour of
the Old City of Jerusalem.
As we walked down the stone-paved paths, he
pointed out both the Roman ruins and the bustling
yeshivor. We arrived at the Western Wall at 4:00,
just in time for afternoon ivlinchah services.
The chanting of multiple, independent minyanim
(prayer quorums) resonated off the Wall as Hun-
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12:2S
2001
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