Irreconcilable Differences
But on Thursday, April 18, sadly,
the plaza in central campus stood
empty. With utter discontent, I report
that we have no partner for peace on
campus. Neither the Muslim Students
Association nor SAFE would endorse
such a rally. It seems the concept of
"peace" to them means reverberating
back to the status quo of occupation,
which they cannot stand for.
Jewish activists on campus were so
excited for our rally. More than 20
people volunteered to help within the
first 24 hours of the idea being born.
Now it exists as nothing more than an
idealistic whim of the past.
Campus tensions have yet to desist
from April 9 pinnacles. On Wednesday,
April 17, about 150 students attended a
debate between Palestinian activist
Amer Zahr and economics graduate stu-
dent David Wolkinson, 21, of -
Southfield, who argued the Israeli side.
Several Jewish students stormed out
of the Michigan Union after Zahr, in
justifying kindergarten suicide camps,
said the blame for them lies squarely
on the Israel Defense Forces.
Still, the April 10 rally was a beautiful
presentation of Jewish strength and pride.
It has made the Jewish community at the
University of Michigan feel closer and
more unified. Throughout the rally, stu-
dents chanted over and over again, "We
want peace!" Do they mean peace just in
Israel — or in Ann Arbor, too?
unquestionably, like sheep.
"There is a strong yearning for
peace in Israel. After all that they have
suffered as a people, they do not relish
the idea of lording it over others.
Where is the peace movement among
us? Can you not picture the two
Semitic brother states existing side by
side, in political and economic harmo-
ny? Animosities can fade with the
passing of time, as world history
shows. I would even welcome the pro-
vision that the Arab state of Palestine
should be demilitarized. It would save
us billions of dollars, which we could
more profitably invest in .education,
culture and social welfare.
"My dear brothers! Remove the
blinders from your eyes. Reject the
failed leadership. Pay no heed to
thoughtless, excitable extremists, and
open a new and blessed chapter in the
history of our people.
"Is there such a new leader on the
horizon? If so, would he dare speak up
in this way? And would the
Palestinian masses, weary of suffering
bloodshed and hatred, follow him?
Alas! This is the Middle East."
U.S. policy toward Arafat
Washington, D.C.
and Saudi Arabia.
t was a hot talk-show
Right-wing Jewish groups,
topic over the weekend:
always opposed to land-for-
the Bush administra-
peace negotiations with the
tion's Middle East poli-
Palestinians, have long
cy zigzags are making ana-
pushed the idea that the U.S.
lysts dizzy.
should cut off all ties with
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel
the grizzly old terrorist.
JAMES D.
Sharon is a "man of peace,"
During the years when
BESSER
the president says, even as he
there was an active, forward-
Special
pressures the Israeli govern-
ment to continue withdraw-
Commentary moving peace process, their
anti-Arafat agitation was a
ing from West Bank towns.
thinly disguised effort to sab-
Yasser Arafat has been a
otage a peace process they
grave disappointment, yet the
loathed.
Bush administration contin-
It makes sense to talk to ex-terror-
ues to protect the besieged
ists in pursuit of peace — when
Palestinian leader, leading to wide-
spread charges of a "double standard" there are indications they are gen-
uinely "ex." But what's developed in
that may undercut the U.S. war
the past few months is quite the
against terrorism.
opposite.
That may be. But the double stan-
According to the Bush Doctrine, it
dard may be an inevitable result of
should be a simple proposition:
the administration's decision to con-
Arafat has reverted to terrorism and
front problems that several previous
incitement, so cut him off and let
administrations have ignored.
Israel deal with him.
Ironically, it may be because this
But it's not so simple.
administration wants to do the right
If Arafat is removed, Israel could
thing on terrorism while increasing
face a far more radical, implacable
support for Israel that it now faces
Palestinian leadership.
seeming irreconcilable goals.
If Washington jettisons Arafat, it
The two most obvious examples:
will spell the end of any serious
James D. Besser is a Washington-based attempt to enlist even modest sup-
correspondent. His e-mail address is
port from Arab and Islamic countries
besser@his. corn
for the next phase in the war on ter-
I
rorism, a strike against Iraq.
Recently, after seemingly giving
Israel the green light to deal with
Arafat, the State Department
received frantic cables from Arab
governments fearing that U.S. poli-
cies would fuel unrest in their own
countries that could topple their pre-
carious regimes. That produced a
renewed focus on the administration
goal of Palestinian statehood.
But the administration's current
attitude toward Arafat — demanding
that he curb others who are commit-
ting terrorism when he is, in fact, the
primary instigator — undercuts that
same anti-terror effort.
Bush's great moral crusade becomes
just another brushfire war if he starts
making exceptions for some terrorists
and not others.
The dilemma for the Bush admin-
istration is excruciating, and despite
calls from both ends of the political
spectrum there is no easy way out.
Blinded By Oil?
-
The Saudi situation is similar.
The sheiks in Riyadh insist they're
on our side even as they encourage
suicide bombers in Israel and under-
cut U.S. efforts to quell the Israeli-
Palestinian conflict.
BESSER
on page 30
Perspectives on Israel: a continuing series
How You Can Help Israel
Our Israeli brothers and sisters are on the
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them up. Here is how you can help.
• Donate to the Federation's Israel
Emergency Campaign.
www.thisisfederation.org/donate/default.asp
or call (248) 205-2550
•Share your support of Israel with Elected Officials.
http://capwiz.com/aipac/dbg/officials/
•Send letters to Israeli Soldiers.
www.jafi.org.il/daily/soldiers.asp
•Send letters to families of victims of terrorism.
www.walk4israel.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Victims
•Join the Israel Solidarity Mission, May 19 - 24.
www.thisisfederation.org/missions maymission.htm
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www.standwithus.com/actions/action shopisrael.asp
•Keep informed. Join the Israel Advocacy Network.
To subscribe, send an e-mail to IAN@jfmd.orq
Be Seen. Be Heard. Be There.
Michigan Stands With Israel Rally
Sunday, April 28 • 4 pm
Temple Emanu-EI
14450 W. Ten Mile Rd., Oak Park
- Outdoors Rain or Shine-
.
Jewish At:
Community
CouncilggemagLowthe
To learn more about how you can become an effective Israel advocate, visit www.jewishcommunitycouncil.orq
JEN
4/26
2002
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