Page 4 - The Canadian Jewish News, Thursday, March 20, 1980
^National News
By ABRAHAM ARNOLD
WINNIPEG —
Participants in a recent western 'Jewish student leaderiship conference, in VVinnipeg found themselves very frustrated by one of their guest speakr e'rs, Robert Crawford, billed as professor of Near Eastern Studies at the University of Minnesota.
For the better part of an hour Prof. Crawford spoke aiid debated with the students on the controversial issue of Palestinian rights. Also listed as the chairman of the Min^ neapolis office of the Organization for Palestinian Autonomy and the midwest represientative for the U.S. Arab League, Crawford spoke as an avowed PLO supporter. His student listeners were frustrated because they found themselves hard pressed to answer the pro-Palestinian claims that he presented.
The students were most relieved when "'Prof. Crawford" turned out to be Prof. David Bercuson. of Calgary, who then proceeded to address them on ''Cornbatting Arab Propaganda."
David Bercuson is a history professor at the University of Calgary and co-edit|,or of the Canadian Historical Review. He returned recently from a
sabbatical leave which he devoted to studies on the Middle East and particularly Israeli-Arab relations.
_P6sing as a. PLO sympathizer, Bercuson tried to
accept the political posi-, -tions of the Arab states but seeks to defend the Palestinian Arabs. ~;
After dropping his PLO-stance, Bercuson emphasized the importance oT
get the students to see the students getting a better; Arab-Israeli situation historical perspective on
from the point of view of an American Christian, who does not necessarily
the Middle East and of acquiring a better understanding of the "other
side'' as well as a more thorough knowledge of "our side," of the situa-: tion. • • ,
Prof. Bercuson re- . viewed the MiddIe~~East situation firbm the perspective of each of the Arab cpuiitries, particularly Syria and Egypt.- He stressed that Syria still considers Lebanon and
Israel as part of "Greater Syria" and cannot be expected to back down from this position.
Egypt's attitude is different, he explained, because that country does not have territorial ambitions (apart from regaining territory lost to Israel), Egypt is rather concerned about who its neighbors.
willbe and in this regard Israel is no longer seen as a threat. ;
Bercuson recalled that Jordan's late King Abdul- . lah took a more pragmatic approach and was ready to make a deal-with Israel before he was assassinated. King Hussien is trying to follow a similar policy, Bercuson sug-
on
Cont'd from Page 1
. Dulzin stated unequi-vocably that the Israeli government alone will determine the destiny of Israel and would nof ever bow to any pressure from the outside world. Reshcf maintained the world's image of Israel is of great importance to its future security and Israel should try to keep the support of U.S. government by the formulation of '■ reasonable solutions" to the Palestinian problem'.
Dulzin firmly contended that the Palestinian problem is the "greatest dis-
tortion in history" and that there is no need for a second Arab state in what was formerly Palestine. Reshef, at the same tinie. appealed for understanding of the "other side", and an end to the treat-, mentof Arabsas "second-grade citizens." otherwise the democratic principle the state of Israel was founded upon "will be in jeopardy."
Dulzin spoke of Zionism in the Diaspora as being necessary for the prevention of another Holocaiist. Reshef argued that the future of Israel Will be determined in the next few
years and all supporters of Israel must take part in the important decisions that have to be made.
The expressed need at the outset of the convention to meet the challenges of the differing situation Zionism finds itself in today as compared to 13 years ago when the Canadian Zionist Federation was created, seemed to
get lost during the course of the convention.
The only firm policy expressed on the task ahead for Zionists in Canada was the continuation of vigorous advocacy for Israeli concerns with the various levels of government:. Canadian Zionists must not waver in the defence of Israel, whether it be popular to do so or
not, Givens stated. This position was reiterated at various times throughout the convention.
Givens was assured a third term as pres^ident of the CZF before the convention openedl. The candidacy of Caiiadian Herat president Ben Milner failed to materialize as reported in the March 13 issne of The CJN.
ordctton agamst
tc games
Stories translated
JERUSALEM -
Even as Israel and Egypt were exchanging
issues
■ ■ N
for realism
ByMOURAWOLPERT
HAMILTON —
■ Astrong plea for a more realistic view of mterna-tional politics was made here by Consul-General of Israel David Ariel, at a recent lunchtime lecture held at the Jewish Community Centre, sponsored jointly by the JCG cultural arts committee and the Hamilton Supporters of Israel.
"There is a feeling of malaise or uneasiness — in the West, in Israel and among Diaspora Jewry — about the political situation," Ariel said,.and to get away from it. he urged that instead of dealing in generalities, slogans and cliches, "we should start addressing ourselves to the realities.
He noted - that claims such as Israel is to blame for the lack of peace in the
. area^ that it desires to annex occupied territories and is responsible for the economy of western nations, and that the solutions would be simple if; only: Israel would withdraw, if the PLO were recognized and Arab mili-
'tary and political demands accepted and listened to, have made inroads also into Jewish circles. . Citing examples such as "the Palestinian problem is the core of the problem," or "the rising tide of Islam," Ariel said that these generalities "will.
; facilitate matter* for us intellectually because it is -easier to have one word but It won't help us to continue to be blind." ; Islam, he pointed out, is
. a religion,, not a political force...and-we have appeasement rather, than dialogue. .
: . The Soviet, Union, he said, treats Islamic na-: tions not in generalities but in specifics. "They relate, to a country, to concrete power, to realities," and without precise and factual knowledge of Islam "we get the cliches and invite ourselves to blackmail, to hostages, to-terrorism from quarters of which we know absolutely ■ nothing."
The reality, said Ariel, is that Vwe do have Russian expansionist am-: bitions in the area" and when it comes to western, especially AmericaQ; pos-
ture, "we have a growing manifestation of weakness."
"If the oil producing countries do not wish to have American assistance and military presence.in their midst, this has nothing to do with Israel. It has,to do with their attitude to the United States and its power, and their perception of American power against the recent background of developments in countries of the Middle East, like Iran and Afghanistan."
The lack of our display, of power and influence, a wrong assessment and, worst of all,' mistakes emanating from a wrong assessment, continued , Ariel, "contribute to an existing system of instability that has been in, these countries from time immemorial."
Ignorance concerning the Middle East is dangerous, observed Ariel, and addressing himself to the Diaspora, he pleaded that in addition to giving trees and other material aid "you should give us your minds, your hearts and join us in the uneven struggle against ignorance and appeasement.''
Gobuty led
ambassadors for the first time. Hebrew University professors moved' ahead with a fully developing relationship between the two countries in the cul-•tiifal field.
Two University scholai-s completed the translation into Hebrew "of an anthology of modern Egyp-; tian .short stories for the first time and a learned scholar's work in .Arabic poetry has been translated into Arabic and published in Egypt.
. The anthology of stories was translated into Hebrew by Prof. Shmuel Moreh, chairman of the Hebrew University's Arabic department and Prof. Menahem Milson, chairman of the Institute of Asian and African Studies. Prof. Moreh's book, Modem Arabic Poetry, in Hebrew is now available in Arabic and deals with western influence on its themes and forms.
Prof*. Moreh's research in Arabic poetry has long attracted the attention of Egyptian scholars and in 1969 several of his articles on modern Egyptian poetry were translated into . Arabic .
SYDNEY, N.S.-
If we of the free world send athletes, press, countless visitors and billions of hard currency to Russia while she occupies Afghanistan, we are ignoring the lessons of history, siays Harvey Webber, former president of the Atlantic Provinces Chamber of Commerce.
"Where will the free world be if the next move is into Iran, starving us for oil that stokes our productive capacity—or possibly Pakistan?" asks Webber, in an interview with The CJN.
Making an analogy with Hitler's country-by-countrv takeover pattern during - World War II, Webber said the Soviet war machine is already in motion.
"With the Olympics we have a heavensent opportunity to take action. No loss of life, costly armaments or fear ot a nuclear holocaust is involved. By moving the Olympics from Moscow,' we harm Russia more, politically,than the movement of troops or ships or giving arms to China and Pakistan. *It would be a psychological blow-beyond compare," he stressed.
Harvey Webber
For Russia, he said, the games are proof that it has arrived, that its imperialist moves have been overlooked or forgotten by the world. "The games are a. political show, proof of Soviet, power and acceptance m today's world."
Stating that the West merely honors its athletes, he pointed out that Russia glorifies them as a symbol of Soviets triumphing against the world. "They are fed, housed, pampered and trained to excel. No sportsmanship is in-, volved, only winners for international prestige.'.'
Webber stressed the need for a meeting of the
UN Security Council, possibly headed by .Saudi: Arabia, which has already^ announced its decision to boycott, the Olympics, if held in Moscow. Munich, Montreal, Tokyo arid Miex-ico are site possibilities which should be suggested as alternatives.
Appealing to Canadians to initiate a grassroots campaing, Webber urgisd service clubs, fraternal, union and professional groups to pass resolutions for moving the ganies.
"We can't leave action solely to politicians. Governments don't act, they react. Therefore, the common man, the average citizen should start the ball rolling," he declared.
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WINNIPEG —
Michael Gobuty, president and part-owner of the Winnipeg Jets, of the National Hockey League, has been named winner of . the B'nal B'rith International Humanitarian Award."'
He will . receive the. award firom B'nal B'rith intemationa^pfesidenT Jack Spitzerat a banquet. here in Juhe.
A number of. corporate and civic le'a^ert are noml-' nated for the^award each year. It is awardled to one person from each B'nal B'rith district who has contributed to the welfare of youth In Us community.
wishes to extend to the Jewish community across Canada
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gested, ^although he will not get involved in any formal art'angements with_ Israel. ;
There were 50 participants in the conference, including_^students firom British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and as well as Manitoba. The conference was corspon-sored by Netwest, the westerii region of the Canadian bureau of the North Americarf Jewish students' NetWork; by CUB, the Canadian University Bureau of CZF and by the Jewish Student Association at the Universities of Manitoba and Winnipeg, which played host. .
An underlying issue at the conference was the relationship of the Jewish student movement with the adult community. Several delegates claimed that, the Jewish student movement favors a more activist role on Jewish concerns but is being hampered by some cqm-munity leaders who accuse them of "lacking responsibility."
One Winnipeg dele-
gate, Rafi Kleiman, felt that better student representation should . be ~ assured on all committees of Canadian Jewish congress. He also expressed satisfaction that in Winni-jpeg the student movement is now getting better support than in previous years. Kleiman suggested this is due to the recognition by the adult community of the need to develop young leaders.
The Winnipeg Jewish Student Association was established a few years ago with Jewish Community Gouncilbacking when the Hillel Foundation folded. It has a mailing list of some 750 students, many of whom participate occasionally, and an active corps of 25 members.
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