• . T1, Editorials are posted and archived 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 29