• .
T1,
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on JN Online:
www.detroitjewishnews.com
Dry Bones
Justified And Productive
From the Jerusalem Post
ill British Foreign Minister Jack
Straw explain why the killing of
Saddam Hussein's sons Uday and
Qusay was justified and "productive," but
the killing of Hamas leader Abdel Aziz
Rantissi was not? All three are, or were,
leaders of what the British government
defines as terrorist organizations.
Will the minister also explain why it is
unthinkable for European countries, -
including Britain, to negotiate with Al
Qaida, while it is not only thinkable, but
necessary, for Israel to negotiate with a
Palestinian regime implicated-in
Hamas' terrorism?
At least former French
Foreign Minister Dominique de
Villepin was consistent when he warned
that the killing of Uday and Qusay would
contribute to the cycle of violence in Iraq.
That's a foolish view, but it is not a hypo-
critical one. Straw's view, however, is hypo-
critical. It is also foolish and at variance
with his previous statements.
Straw says Israel may act against the likes
of Rantissi, but only within the parameters
of international law. That suggests that
Rantissi ought to have been arrested and
tried, not killed.
Well then: Arrested how, and by whom?
Maybe we have missed the minister's calls
for the Palestinian Authority to meet its
responsibilities under the road map to
c
'undertake visible efforts ... to arrest, dis-
rupt and restrain individuals and groups
W
conducting and planning attacks on
Israelis."
Maybe the minister will allow that
Rantissi may lawfully be arrested by Israel.
But wouldn't that require an unlawful
entry by Israeli troops into Gaza City?
And would it not also have entailed a
much larger loss of life? And possibly the
use of military components supplied by
Britain?
To follow the minister's pronounce-
ments to their logical conclusion, Israel
may take no measure in its self-defense
except to arrest suicide bombers when
they reach Israeli soil, which is as
good as no defense at all.
Alternatively, he believes Israel
must resume negotiations with
the Palestinian Authority, notwithstanding
the P.A.'s failure to move against -terrorist
organizations and evidence it is deeply
implicated in terrorist activity.
This is foolishness. Either the minister
accepts Israel's right to take what efforts it
thinks necessary against terrorism, or he
must demand the P.A. do the same and
make it pay a price if it doesn't.
It is noteworthy that after Saturday's
killing of Rantissi, Hamas would not
name its new leader. The bravado is gone.
They are afraid. This will not prevent
future attacks on Israel. But it puts to rest
the lie that attacks on Hamas only
embolden it. In that sense, Saturday's
strike has served a purpose. ❑
WE "KNOW" THAT
IRAQI WEAPONS OF
MASS DESTRUCTION
DON'T EXIST
BECAUSE U.S.
TROOPS CAN'T
FIND THEM
WHICH PROVES
THAT BIN LAPIN
DOES NOT
EXIST
BECAUSE U.S.
TROOPS HAVEN'T
FOUND HIM
EITHER
EDIT. ORIAL
69
1"1
Jewish On Campus?
Washington
hoosing the right college is a challenge for stu-
dents and their parents. Students want to
know: Where is the best place to study my
major? What is the social life like? Are their jobs near
campus? How far can I get from my parents?
Parents want to know: Will my children get a qual-
ity education? Will they be able to find a job or go to
graduate school with their degree? How much will
college cost? Will I ever be able to afford another
vacation?
On top of these concerns, Jewish parents
and students have one additional question:
Will the student be satisfied Jewishly?
Sometimes, the question is driven by a
search for significant spirituality; often it's driven by a
search for significant others. Either way, it's close to
the hearts of many freshmen and their parents.
C
Finding the right answer is as complicated
Different Needs
and nuanced as the students themselves.
Today's Jewish college students come to cam-
What's right for Daniel may not be appropri-
pus from a variety of backgrounds and Hillel
ate for Danielle. As the Jewish community
is working to provide for their different needs
on campus, Hillel works with 400,000
and interests. As a result, school choices have
Jewish college students every year. We under-
never been so broad or so filled with Jewish
stand their different needs and interests.
content. Universities, themselves, are con-
Hillel's Web site www.hillel.org provides use-
tributing to this renaissance of Jewish life on
- HOWARD
ful, detailed information about Jewish life at
campus by working closely with Hillels across
hundreds of schools around the world, every-
WO LKE
North America.
thing from the Jewish population on campus
Special
Universities are now providing kosher din-
to the availability of kosher dining,
Commentary ing services at the University of Connecticut
the presence of Jewish sororities
and the University of Maryland. New Hillel
and fraternities to the number of Jewish
buildings have been constructed at Syracuse
arts groups.
University, Duke University, University of
For more personalized information, Hillel profes-
Pennsylvania and Vanderbilt University with universi-
sionals on campuses are available to speak with
ty encouragement and support. Hillel has built 20
prospective freshmen and their parents during a col-
buildings in the last five years.
lege visit or by telephone. Hillel's Web site offers a
The rich array of Jewish student programs may
complete listing of their contact information.
start in the Hillel facility but it spills out onto the
EDIT ORIAL
Howard Wolke is communications associate with
Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Student Life in
Washington, D. C. His e-mail is hwolke@hillel.org
campus wherever students may be found. Jewish stu-
WOLKE on page 31
4/23
2004
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