have taken as long as they have to plan
their invasion, analysts say.
Steinberg sees three major approaches
for Israel: slowing the technology flow,
military action and deterrence.
Halevy's speech, he says, was an appeal
to the NATO members to tighten con-
trol of technology exports. Moreover,
there are signs that others are starting
to listen.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has
reportedly promised the United States
to apply more stringent controls on the
ostensibly nonmilitary nuclear reactor
the Russians are helping Iran build.
And in early July, Chinese officials
promised David Magen, chairman of
Israel's Knesset Foreign Affairs and
Security Committee, that Beijing
would not supply nuclear technologies
to any country that might use them
against Israel.
As for military action, despite its suc-
cessful destruction of the Osirak reactor
near Baghdad in 1981, Israel would
clearly prefer not to have to repeat the
exercise, and hopes that this time an
American-led coalition will do the job
in Iraq and, if necessary, in Iran too.
Case Closed?
Rabbi Lanner's conviction ends one chapter
in national abuse case.
Etz Chaim, N.J., branch of the NCSY
and was principal at the Hillel Yeshiva
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
High School in Ocean Township,
N.J., left the yeshiva in 1997 and
New York City
resigned from his NCSY position the
he recent sex-abuse convic-
day the Jewish Week story appeared.
tion of Rabbi Baruch
Shockwaves reverberated through the
Lanner for groping two
teen-age girls closed a high- OU after the charges became public
and the group's executive vice president,
ly disturbing chapter for the centrist
Raphael Butler, eventually resigned.
Orthodox world. But it remains to be
Some say that under Butler's succes-
seen how deeply the controversy will
sor, Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, the
transform the community.
OU has worked hard to repair its rep-
Rabbi Lanner was found guilty June
utation by instituting measures ensur-
27 in Monmouth County, N.J.,
ing that complaints get.
Superior Court of endan-
aired and addressed.
gering the welfare of two
Richard Joel, president
girls between 1992 and
and international director
1996 while he was princi-
of Hillel: The Foundation
pal of a New Jersey yeshiva.
for Jewish Campus Life,
He also was their super-
who chaired the Lanner
visor at the National
commission, said the OU
Conference of Synagogue
has
begun to act.
Youth, the youth wing of
US. Support
"The
best thing to be
the Orthodox Union.
Israeli officials are said to be pleased
said is that changes are
Rabbi Lanner, 52, who
that the American plan of attack in Iraq has long maintained his
still a work in progress,"
reportedly includes a ground force
Rabbi Baruch Lanner Joel says. "Rabbi Weinreb
innocence and whose
sweep to destroy Scud missile launchers
really understands the
lawyers said he will likely
_ ed at Israel.
dimensions of the chal-
aim
appeal, was also convicted of
In 1991, the Iraqis fired 39 missiles
lenge
and
has
really begun the process
aggravated criminal sexual contact with
from western Iraq at Israel, all with
of
making
the
changes necessary at
one of the girls.
conventional warheads.
NCSY."
Freed
on
$100,000
bail,
he
is
set
to
•
But Israel has been most active lately
be sentenced Sept. 13. He faces 10-20
in the third approach — deterrence —
years in jail and a maximum $300,000
New Procedures
letting the rogue states know they will
fine.
pay a terrible price if they use weapons
According to the OU's new president,
The Lanner case not only stirred a
of mass destruction.
Harvey Blitz, the NCSY has instituted
rare public airing of abuse in the
This was the apparent purpose of a
mandatory sensitivity training for all
Jewish community, it also provoked
recent spate of news leaks about Israeli
teen advisers, has created "ombusd-
intense debate because Rabbi Lanner
nuclear and other capabilities.
men" to hear complaints and has put
allegedly abused scores of teen-agers
According to the leaks, Israel is the .
in place formal procedures regarding
over 30 years.
fifth largest nuclear power in the world,
sexual misconduct.
The scandal surfaced in June 2000
with about 400 nuclear bombs, a mis-
"I think there's been a significant
when the New York Jewish Week first
sile system that can deliver warheads to
change in attitude," Blitz said. "I think
reported the complaints against the
any point on the globe and state-of-
we're making substantial progress in
rabbi.
the-art submarines armed with nuclear
changing the overall culture, but it
As public reaction swelled, the OU
launchers that would give it a "second
takes time."
appointed the NCSY Special
strike capability," that is, the ability to
Gary Rosenblatt, editor and publish-
Commission on the Lanner case, and
respond, even if a nuclear attack
er of the New York Jewish Week, said
in December 2000 the panel released
destroyed most of the country.
such changes don't come easily.
part of a scathing 332-page report
Yet another Israeli leak warned that a
"Certainly, the whole Jewish commu-
blaming OU leaders for ignoring
mega-terror attack on high buildings in
nity is aware of the Lanner case and
reports of Rabbi Lanner's abuse and
Tel Aviv was liable to fail, since the
there have been some positive results
urging major organizational reforms.
Israeli Defense Forces deployed anti-air-
because
of that," Rosenblatt said.
In at least four instances, NCSY and
craft missiles in the city center.
"It was Rabbi Weinreb who said that
OU officials were "put on direct and
It remains to be seen how seriously
specific notice of serious sexual miscon- when something like this happens,
NATO takes Halevy's warnings. .
don't go to your rabbi, go to the
duct" by Rabbi Lanner but failed to
Israel, it seems, has no option, but
authorities. That's a simple but impor-
heed such "red flags," the report said.
to believe the worst. ❑
tant message." ❑
Rabbi Lanner, who worked for the
JOE BERKOFSKY
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