Power from page 26

Commentary

Furthermore, Israel is our only true
ally in the region. For example, in
1981, it destroyed the Iraqi reactor that
could have provided Saddam Hussein
with plutonium for nuclear weapons;
in 2007, Israel destroyed the Syrian
reactor (being built in concert with the
North Koreans) that could have aided
Iran's nuclear quest.

Winnick goes on to posit a terrify-
ing prospect: Imagine the effect on
American foreign policy the threat of
nuclear terrorism could evoke.
The entire balance of power in the
Middle East would be directly influ-
enced by a revision of our foreign aid.
For example, if terrorists could prove
their nuclear capability, they could well
attempt coercion of our government,
applying pressure to eliminate military
aid to our allies (e.g., Israel).
I pray the new leaders of the Muslim
countries involved in the current upris-
ings become our friends to prevent a
region that is unstable, unpredictable
and united in hating the U.S. and Israel
— as well as a breeding ground and a
training zone for tomorrow's terrorists.
America's May 1 takeout of Osama
bin Laden, the civilized world's Public
Enemy No. 1, in his fortified Pakistani
compound in hill-ringed Abbottabad
means the civilized world is thrust
toward high alert as his followers are
emboldened to retaliate.

ie4

oink Threat

Winnick concluded by talking about
the most armed and dangerous among
current powers, Pakistan, North Korea
and Iran; all want nuclear advances.
These countries could well become a
source of weapons-grade nuclear mate-
rial to terrorists. Let's hope the Navy
SEALS operation ordered by President
Obama in Pakistan against bin Laden
awakens Islamabad to the terrorist
threat rooted along the Pakistani-
Afghani border.
The U.S. acknowledges the possibil-
ity of terrorists detonating a "dirty
bomb" here. Such a bomb would strew
radioactive material over wide areas of
a major city, rendering it contaminated
for years. A real nuclear bomb could
cause the kind of panic that forces
us into concessions when confronted
by terrorist regimes. Transitioning to
democracy is the most desirable path
for all nations now under autocratic
rule, suggests Professor Winnick.
He's right.
But I fear that scenario is a pipe-
dream, in most cases. I

2

Eye

2010 walk participants
along Orchard,lload--___
near Shir Shalom. T _

pit The Work

Walk For

o the Jews of Metro
Detroit need a crisis
in order to come
together for Israel? Do we
need an "emergency" to bring
us to a gathering in great
numbers for expressing our
solidarity with the land and
people of the only Jewish
nation in the world?
There are threats that
Israel and world Jewry need
to remain vigilant against.
Although Osama bin Laden is now
gone, the Al Qaida terrorists are still
out there, with their "soldiers" and
sleeper cells, targeting Israel and
Jews. The Hamas rulers in Gaza, the
Hezbollah power brokers in Lebanon,

Greenberg's View

the Holocaust-denying,
Israel-threatening and
nuclear bomb-pursuing
Iranians, the Syrian dicta-
tor Bashar Al Assad and the
Palestinian terror organiza-
tions of Islamic Jihad and
Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades –
these are enemies of Israel
that continue to operate
daily and that celebrate the
deaths of Jews.
Where do we fit in?
Diplomatically, Israel is isolated.
Governments, universities and church
bodies join to boycott, sanction and
divest from the Jewish state. The news
media are sometimes unbalanced and
unfair in their coverage. Now more

than ever, Israel needs the diaspora
Jewish community's upfront, vocal and
public support.
Diplomacy and public image have
always been high priorities for Israel;
and it should be for us, too. Foreign
minister is one of the top three cabi-
net posts in any Israeli government
(along with prime minister and defense
minister). The two top appointments
made by any new Israeli prime min-
ister are 1) U.N. ambassador and 2)
ambassador to Washington. Those
appointees have been well known and
exemplary. In addition to Abba Eban,
they have included great orators such
as Hebrew University law professor
Yehuda Blum, current Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu, the late prime
minister Yitzchak Rabin, Moshe Arens,
Dr. Dore Gold and the late historian
Chaim Herzog.
While the military has secured its
borders, Israel has greatly reduced
external and existential threats
through diplomacy, including peace
with Egypt and Jordan and the Oslo
Accords with the Palestinians.
Media relations also are of key
importance. Israel has English-
speaking, well-trained spokesmen and
spokeswomen in its armed forces and
government. They cater to the largest
foreign media contingent in the world.
Now it is our turn to help Israel's public
image by walking on May 15.
There also is reason for Jewish
Detroiters to celebrate on May 15. Israel
is 63 years old this month, which means
we have been blessed for more than six
decades with a modern nation of, by
and for the Jews. It is militarily strong,
economically developed, scientifically,
medically and technologically advanced,
vibrantly democratic, proudly Jewish
and Zionist, and strategically allied with
America and the West.
On Sunday, May 15, from 10 a.m. to 2
p.m., the Detroit Jewish community's
annual celebration of Yom HaAtzmaut/
Israeli Independence Day, featuring the
Walk For Israel, will take place in West
Bloomfield (with the walk starting at
1 p.m. on the grounds of Temple Shir
Shalom, southeast corner of Orchard
Lake Road and Walnut Lake Road). The
day will feature an Israeli art fair, free
kosher lunch, free kiddie rides, plus a
free raffle for A) two tickets to Israel
and B) five nights hotel in Israel.
This Sunday, we can provide Israel
with our personal solidarity and com-
mitment by walking, gathering, singing
and praying. Please come, to stand up,
to pick up a banner and to shout it out
– we love and support Israel.

a

27