1942 - 2024
Covering and Connecting
Jewish Detroit Every Week
To make a donation to the
DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
FOUNDATION
go to the website
www.thejewishnews.com
The Detroit Jewish News (USPS 275-520)
is published every Thursday at
32255 Northwestern Highway, #205,
Farmington Hills, Michigan. Periodical
postage paid at Southfield, Michigan, and
additional mailing offices.
Postmaster: send changes to:
Detroit Jewish News,
32255 Northwestern Highway, #205,
Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334
MISSION STATEMENT The Detroit Jewish News will be of service to the Jewish community. The Detroit Jewish
News will inform and educate the Jewish and general community to preserve, protect and sustain the Jewish
people of greater Detroit and beyond, and the State of Israel.
VISION STATEMENT The Detroit Jewish News will operate to appeal to the broadest segments of the greater
Detroit Jewish community, reflecting the diverse views and interests of the Jewish community while advancing the
morale and spirit of the community and advocating Jewish unity, identity and continuity.
DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
32255 Northwestern Hwy. Suite 205,
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
248-354-6060
thejewishnews.com
Publisher
The Detroit Jewish
News Foundation
| Board of Directors:
Chair: Gary Torgow
Vice President: David Kramer
Secretary: Robin Axelrod
Treasurer: Max Berlin
Board members: Michael J. Eizelman
Larry Jackier, Jeffrey Schlussel,
Mark Zausmer
Executive Director:
Marni Raitt
Senior Advisor to the Board:
Mark Davidoff
Alene and Graham Landau Archivist Chair:
Mike Smith
Founding President & Publisher Emeritus:
Arthur Horwitz
Founding Publisher
Philip Slomovitz, of blessed memory
Editorial
Director of Editorial:
Jackie Headapohl
jheadapohl@thejewishnews.com
Contributing Editors:
David Sachs, Keri Guten Cohen
Senior Staff Reporter:
Danny Schwartz
dschwartz@thejewishnews.com
Editorial Assistant:
Sy Manello
smanello@thejewishnews.com
Digital Manager:
Elizabeth King
eking@thejewishnews.com
Contributing Writers:
Nate Bloom, Rochel Burstyn,
Suzanne Chessler, Shari S. Cohen,
Louis Finkelman, Samantha Foon,
Yevgeniya Gazman, Stacy Gittleman,
Esther Allweiss Ingber, Barbara Lewis,
Jennifer Lovy, Rabbi Jason Miller,
Alan Muskovitz, Karen Schwartz,
Robin Schwartz, Steve Stein,
Nathaniel Warshay, Julie Smith Yolles,
Ashley Zlatopolsky
Advertising Sales
Director of Advertising: Keith Farber
kfarber@thejewishnews.com
Senior Account Executive:
Kathy Harvey-Mitton
kmitton@thejewishnews.com
| Business Office
Director of Operations: Amy Gill
agill@thejewishnews.com
Operations Manager: Andrea Gusho
agusho@thejewishnews.com
Operations Assistant: Ashlee Szabo
Circulation: Danielle Smith
Billing Coordinator: Pamela Turner
| Production By
Farago & Associates
Manager: Scott Drzewiecki
Designers: Kaitlyn Iezzi, Kelly Kosek,
Michelle Sheridan
6 | FEBRUARY 8 • 2024 J
N
statement
The International Court of Justice
Rejected the Attempt to Deny
Israel’s Right to Defend Itself
PURELY COMMENTARY
T
he charge of genocide
leveled against Israel at
the International Court
of Justice is false and outra-
geous. It constitutes a shameful
exploitation of
the Genocide
Convention that
is not only whol-
ly unfounded in
fact and law, but
morally repug-
nant.
As the Court
recognized, on Oct. 7, Hamas
and other terrorist groups com-
mitted unspeakable atrocities
against Israel and its citizens.
Like every country, Israel has
an inherent and inalienable
right to defend itself against
the terrorist onslaught it still
faces. The vile attempt by
South Africa to deny Israel this
fundamental right was justly
rejected.
The Court has repeatedly
made clear that its decision
does not determine whether
South Africa’s claims have any
merit or the Court’s jurisdiction
in this matter.
Israel remains committed,
as it has repeatedly affirmed
and demonstrated, to acting
in accordance with its rights
and obligations under interna-
tional law, including interna-
tional humanitarian law. This
commitment is unwavering,
independent of any ICJ pro-
ceedings.
Israel welcomes the Court’s
clear demand for the immedi-
ate and unconditional release of
all the hostages held in Gaza.
Israel’s war is against Hamas,
not against Palestinian civilians.
Israel will continue to facilitate
humanitarian assistance and
to do its utmost according to
the law to keep civilians out of
harm’s way, even as Hamas uses
them as human shields.
South Africa’s baseless
accusations, and its attempt
to empty the word genocide
of its unique force and special
meaning, have been widely
denounced by numerous states
known for their commitment
to the rule of law. Israel is
confident that the Court will
likewise reject these unfounded
claims at the merits phase of
proceedings.
Israel calls on all those gen-
uinely committed to the sol-
emn promise of “never again”
enshrined in the Genocide
Convention, to reject the
unconscionable efforts to dis-
tort the truth in support of a
genocidal terrorist organiza-
tion. Hamas, and its sponsor
in Tehran, seek to deny both
Israelis and Palestinians the
ability to achieve a peaceful
future. South Africa should be
denounced for being their will-
ing accomplice.
Yinham Cohen is Consul General of
Israel to the Midwest.
Yinham
Cohen
DISCOVER THE POWER OF SANCTUARY
Discover Lincoln Owner Benefits
Custom Ordering & Home Delivery Upon Request
A, Z, X Plans Specialist
RICHARD WOLF
LINCOLN PRODUCT SPECIALIST
Office : 1950 W Maple Rd, Troy, MI 48084
Email : rwolf@lincolnoftroy.com
734.812.1125