World
Two-Fold
Bibi makes quick visit to honor friends, warn against appeasement.
policy must be that Iran cannot acquire nuclear
weapons.
Netanyahu gave examples from throughout
history
to show that the Jewish people have been
il riendship runs deep for Benjamin "Bibi"
slow
to
recognize danger. Most recently, he said,
Netanyahu. Why else would the former
his
Likud
opposition party was berated during the
Israeli prime minister, his wife and a
Israeli
elections
two years ago for opposing unilat-
security team make a whirlwind visit to Detroit?
eral
Israeli
Defense
Force pull-outs from the Gaza
Netanyahu spoke to 1,000 people amid tight
Strip
and
southern
Lebanon.
Those two areas have
security Nov. 1 at Congregation Shaarey Zedek
become
militant
Islamist
states,
he said, "and we
Southfield for the 74th annual Balfour Event
shouldn't
do
the
same
to
Jerusalem.
sponsored by the Zionist Organization of America
"We can't give them an Iranian state on our bor-
Michigan Region. He came to honor family friend
,' he said, referring to the West Bank. "And the
der'
Aliza Nivy and Ann Newman, Detroiters who
last
thing we can't give them is Jerusalem.
fought for Israel in the War of Independence.
"If
we walk out, they walk in',' Netanyahu said.
He also came to reiterate a warning to Western
"Did
we
get peace in Lebanon? Did we get peace in
civilization: Beware of militant Islam. Israelis "are
Gaza?
We
were mocked then, but we are not being
not just defending ourselves," he said, "but the
mocked
now."
entire world."
During his 30-minute speech, Netanyahu fre-
Netanyahu described militant Islam as a preda-
quently
stressed that Israel is not the target:
tor, at war with the West and making new rules
"Are
you worried about the price of oil today?
•
of war. Sacrificing one's own life or country is
Just
wait:'
completely justified by the militants if Islam is
• Iran in 10 years, he said, will have missiles
advanced. "Anyone — including Islamists —are
that
will reach the Eastern Seaboard of the United
infidels if they don't share their views" and "they
States.
will go to any lengths to pursue this mad ideology."
• "Do we [Israel] have the reserves and resources
This belief in self-sacrifice has changed the
to
protect ourselves?" he asked. "It is the West that
rules of deterrence, he said. Mutual deterrence is
must
have, but will the West wake up in time?"
seen by militant Islam as victory.
Netanyahu
believes the Europeans are begin-
He believes that the information revolution
ning
to
understand
the danger. But the biggest
sweeping the world and a free economy will ulti-
difference,
he
said,
between the 1930s and today is
mately bring down Islamic fundamentalism, "but
"today
we
have
a
Jewish
state'
it could take decades."
,
'
he
said.
"Our
In the meantime, "we cannot wait'
Alan Hitsky
Associate Editor
F
Benjamin Netanyahu warns the West.
Quick Trip
Benjamin and Sara Netanyahu, and a heav-
ily armed security detail, flew to Detroit and
directly back to Israel last week in order to to
honor ZOA Balfour Event awardees Aliza Nivy
and Ann Newman.
Security was heavy at Congregation
Shaarey Zedek Southfield. Every member of
the audience had to pass through a security
screening, with security guards using elec-
tronic wands. Photographers and camera
crews had their equipment checked.
The Israeli security detail, carrying subma-
chine guns, stayed with the Netanyahus until
the program began at 8 p.m., 30 minutes late
because of "security issues," according to
Sheldon Miller, the evening's master of cer-
emonies and president of the ZOA Michigan
Region. At least two of the Israelis could be
seen on the bimah throughout the program.
Southfield police and canine units patrolled
inside and outside the building.
The event was preceded by a private dinner
for ZOA dignitaries, the honorees' families
and the Netanyahus. Following the program,
the ZOA hosted a reception to which the
audience was invited.
Benjamin Netanyahu told the crowd that
his deep friendship for Aliza Nivy and her
family, and for Spencer and Myrna Partrich
brought him and Sara to Detroit.
He said, "Ann and Aliza represent both the
history and the future of the State of Israel
and the Jewish people. They are the mothers
of the Jewish people and they are examples
for us all."
ZOA honorees Ann Newman, left, and Aliza Nivy, third from left,
with Sara and Benjamin Netanyahu.
November 8 • 2007
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