The Canadian Jewish News, Friday, May 7, 1976 - Page 5
Makolm Toon has taken Israel to task on array of questions
in
U.S. Ambassador Malcolm Toon
By SHELDON iORSHNER CJN Staff Reporter
Malcolm Toon, a'tough, experienced career diplomat, is the American ambassador to Israel. He has been at his Tel Aviv posting for less than one year now, but the 6P-year-old diplomat has already generated inore controversy than any of his predecessors.
Toon succeeded the genial Kenneth Keating, who died of a heart attack last
Letters to the
Part II
es action against war
Dear Editor:
As a regular reader of The CJN, 1 wish to commend you for publishing the interesting guest editorial by Alderman Ben Nobleman exposing the lack of action by the federal government in deporting Nazi war criminals living in Canada:
Why has the Canadian Jewish Congress not continued to press the government in taking the necessary action against these Nazi war criminals? Why have Jewish MPs such as Robert Kaplan, Herb Gray and Phil Givens not officially urged Prime Minister Trudeau and Immigration Minister Andras to act with vigor and courage. This issue is just as important as the PLO entering Canada.
It is shocking that 30 years after the end of World War. II Nazi murderers of inno-. cent Jews should walk the streets of Canada as free citizens. Where are all the Jewish militant groups, adult and youth, who protest loudly against the PLO and Soviet persecution of Russian Jifewry? Why are they silent? Where are the outspoken rabbis who speak up on other issues?
It is regrettable that Canada doesn't have the counterpart of Simon WJesenthal to pursue this important matter. It is even more regrettable that Canadian Jewish leadership has become so smug and complacent.
Max Kezwer,. Toronto.
Dear Editor: '
1 am surprised that Ben Nobleman's recent excellent guest editorial on Nazi war criminals has gone by without any comment by so-called Jewish "militant" groups — Nazi survivor associations, N3, Histadrut organizations, etc. Have they become so complacent or are they just indifferent?
And where is the Jewish establishment? They seem to be too engrossed in fund-raising and personal publicity to be concerned with such trivial matters as Nazi war criminals, who murdered innocent Jews, walking the streets of Canada safe and sound.
The progressive-minded leadership of the Canadian Jewish Congress should mount an energetic campaign to force the federal government to take the necessary action to deprive Nazi war criminals residing in Canada of their citizenship and deport them to the country where they committed their vicious crimes to stand trial.
H.Starr, Toronto.
Dear Editor:
I'm offering a few basic comments on the letter published in the April 9 edition from a Sylvia Hartstone of Toronto.
Your reader, who claims that all outright Jewish converts; are emotionally disturbed people, fortunately cancels her sweeping
ini
of those
By ROCHELLE CARK
On May 2, 1870, Lewis J. Zeleznick was bom in Kiev to a family that would number 18 children. Before bar mitzvah age, young Lewis ran away from the confining atmosphere of Russian life to breathe the free air of the United iStates.
In time he married Florence Sachs, they had three sons. David, Myron and Howard and he changed his name to Selznick. In time, too. he worked his way up from a motley of odd jobs to gain a substantial foothold in an up-coming field — the motion picture industry.
Where father Lewis left off, sons David and Myron took over. By the 1930s, Myron had become Hollywood's foremost agent handling a-multitude"^f sturs such as Katherine Hepburn, Gary Cooper, Henry Fonda,. Helen Hayes and Lawrence Olivier, as well as the industry's top writers and directors. .
Brother David's name soon flashed across the screen (Howard never shared his brothers' Hollywood interests) as^the producer of such movie classics as Gone With The Wfaid, David Coppeifieid and Rebecca.
the Selznick story of rags-to-riches, Jewish-immigrant-past to proud-Ameri- . can-present, was not unique. Indeed, Hollywood became the film capital of the world largely due to this breed of men. /
There were exceptions, of course. Sonic' of Hollywokxl's makers were not Jewish
and some had been American-bom and not poverty-striken. But, by and large, they came from Europe with just the clothes pii their back, took odd jobs, learned to speak English and took one gargantuan chance (in most cases, they had little to lose) by staking their future and that of their family's on the shaky, fledgling m o v i e industry.
Thus, short, round-faced Carl Laemmle, bom into a family of 13 children in 1867 in Wurttemberg. entered the film industry in America in 1906 and ended up the kingpin of Universal.
In 1888, 15-ye;ar-old Adolph Zukor arrived in America from Hungary, took small jobs, married a Hungarian girl named Lottie Kaufman, got into the liiotion picture business and ended up president of Paramount.
Around the same time, young Louis (Lazar) B."Mayer came ^m Minsk'. In time, he would head MGM which included such stars as Jean Harlow, Mickey Rooney, Jimmy Stewart, Elizabeth Taylor, Spencer Tracy and so on.
From near Warsaw, where Samuel (Goldfish) Goldwyn was bom, came Benjamin and Pearl Warner whose dozen children included motion pictures' Sam, Harty, Albert and Jack.
Also coming to America in the 1880s vvas the Fried family of Hungary. One of their 13 children changed his name to William FSx and, among many other accomplishments, started the trend of totally weatlng a star by changing Theodosia Goodman into the vamp girl, Theda Bara.
And the list goes on.
They were a breed that, history would record riived the word "chutzpa". One day they were partners and the next day bitter rivals, all the while making and breaking stars. They helped make divorce, backyiEU-d. swimming, pools, fast living and million dollar deals a part of American living.
But, so too did they give to America, and the world, a few hours of relief from the daily toil of life through the magic of the motion picture.
May. It was no coincidence that Secretary of State Henry Kissinger personally chose Toon; a blunt-spoken man who makes no apologies for putting America's interests first. ■ ■
Within a few months of his arrival in Israel, Toon told Israeli officials there was a need to define the realities of Israel's special relationship with his country. For a while, most Israelis were a little puzzled by the remark. In- time, they discovered that Malcolm Toon's presence in Israel was symbolic of the subtle changes that have overtaken Israeli-U.S. relations since the Yom Kippur War.
In quick succession. Toon took Israel to task on an array of fundamental questions. He urged officials to consider some sort of unilateral gesture that might persuade the Syrians to bjCgin new negotiations toward a second interim agreement on the Golan Heights. He challenged Israel's policy of establishing civilian settlements in the occupied Arab territories. He made it crystal clear that the United States wished to forge cordial ties with the moderate Arab camp. And he advised the Israeli man-in-the-street to. "tighten your belts and temper your appetites" before asking for large aid paickages from Washington.
Eariy this month. Toon was at it again.
V
, stastement with the words "some of whom I iiave met." Clearly, she hasn't met all!
Anyone without the sincerity and strength required soon disappears. Individual converts remaining are fully aware of the conflicts surrounding their state, understand the constant turmoil of the Jewish people and have a deep and firm feeling for their chosen faith.
The attack on the state of mind of such individuals is uncalled for. I would suggest that people subscribing to such ideas have a look at others around them and the rest of the world, before passing judgment.
Annabel Strauss, Toronto.
Dear Editor:
Like many regular readers of The Canadian Jewish News, I am a Christian. I find myself in general agreement with the articles, and your^paper is the finest source of news on the Middle East.
Therefore, f was astonished to read Sylvia Hartstorie's claim !'that outright converts to Christianity are all emotionally disturbed people." Surely this is not true.
Let's see. The finest Catholic theologian is a former Jew. The greatest Toronto mission to the down-at-heel-and-out-of-llick unfortunates was founded by a Christian who had converted from Jewish faith. Two McMaster professors of outstanding intellect are Christians, who were; once Jews. A future Anglican bishop of Toronto is a convert.
These are just a few of my Christian friends, none of whom is emotionally disturbed, who are making fantastic contributions to Canadian life. No doubt, of course, some converts are emotionaljy disturbed, but not by any means all.
Instead of concentrating on the collective psyches of converts, researchers on converts Would be further ahead if they asked themselves: "What is there about Jewish or Christian life, that would ihduce people to convert from one to the other faith.",
Alex McGregor, Toronto.
Dear Editor:
In reply to the recent letter by David Benatar (Canadian" Jewish News, Friday. March 12, 1976). I would like to make the following brief observations regarding! traditional "dancing in North Africa Sephardic Society.
So called belly-dancing has been known to Jews in North Africa for centuries. It was quite common to rejoice on the occasion of betrothals and weddings, by happily joining in a folk-dancing which was naturally an Oriental or Middle Eastern dance.'
To state that belly-dancing is foreign to Sephardic culture in North Africa, is to display a complete ignorance of Jewish . customs in that part of the globe.
1 am sorry that David,Benatar views this dance with the same eye as a tourist views a night club act.
Dahlia Obadla, Middle Eastern dance performer and instnictor f or the Bonragh of York Parks & Recreation Dept.
Dear Editor:
Rabbi Joseph Kelman and the Congregation Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda, in opening then- doors from the inside to the single life total Uving umbrella oirganiza-" tions, are to be commended in their sensitivity to the needs and strength of single people in Toronto Jewish society.
The spiritual heritage, cultural, and social groug^^ activities at Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda, fof single men and women of all ages include folkdancing/ choral, drama, theatre, sports, encounter, photography, cooking, handicrafts, public service, Hebrew. Jewish studies. Oneg Shabbat and a complete seder.
Drop-in centre and dances to,popular music are Also regular presentations planned and structured by the executive board members with Michael Berger, the president.
H. Max Seiden, Toronto.
and this time his remarks caused an uproar that has yet to subside.
Speaking off-the-record as "a Westem diplomat", a cover that was subsequently blown by an Israeli newsman. Toon inti-. mated it would be "dirty poolll and close to interference in internal American affairs for Israel totry to influence Congress. He was referring to a"^immering conflict on Capitol Hill over the foreign aid bill which President Ford has threatened to veto if Congress insists on giving Israel $550 million oyer and above the aid she is due to receive.
Israel's supporters claim that the $2.2 billion approved for the current fiscal year, and the $1.8 billion (of which $1 billion would be for military credits) for the 1977 fiscal year, "are inadequate to enable. Israel to maintain "her security.
Toon, echoing President Ford, disagrees. In a meeting with journalists in Tel Aviv, he disclosed the president had made it clear last January that spending would be cut to the bone and that the principle of budgetary restraint and fiscal discipline would be extended to foreign aid. He repeated the White House's assertion that the current aid figures were adequate enough.
The issue, over economic and military
assistance has developed into a crucial one because it affects Yitzhak Rabin's political longevity, Israel's relations with the U.S. and the Israeli economy itself.      ' _^
Premier Rabin, attacked for being weak and indecisive, is now being accused by his . critics of failing to obtain firm assurances from President Ford and Heniy Kissinger when he visited Washington in January. They argue that Rabin cannot be trusted in delicate negotiations.
Foreign Minister Yigal Allon, who has had some involvement in the affair, has admitted that the aid issue constitutes a serious dispute between Washington and Jerusalem. That is putting it mildly, a(:cording to The Jerusalem Post's astute correspondent in Washington. He writes that Israel stands to lose important public opinion support by going against the wishes of President Ford in pressing ahead for additional transitional iquarter funding.
To hear a number of Israelis tell it, Israel's economy may be badly bruised if the president withholds the $550 million. The governor of the Bank of Israel has been quoted as saying that unemployment would soar to 80,000 iif the funds are not released. And Yosef Yoran, an economist with the bank, asserts: "A decision...to cut aid...will push the economy into severe
-financial difficulties which might cause a financial breakdown. This may force drastic cuts in imports and a transition into a regime of rationing."
And what does Malcolm Toon think of . these sombre prognostications? As usual, he comes to the point unhesitatingly. In his opinion, Israel acted unwisely in budgeting sums not actually received. "I certainly would not include in my budget monies I haven't got," he said reprovingly, a comment which stung Rabin.
The debate over whether Israel gets more aid is far from resolved, and President Ford has reportedly agreed to consider a plian to allow Jemsalem an additional $375 million in military credits. But whatever compromise is arrived at, the dispute underlit^s the disturbing fact that Israel's total and absolute dependence on the United States for financial support has eroded her independence. This is not merely speculation. Defence Minister Shimon Peres has said that Israel must forego some of her independence in retum for Ainerican friendship and assistance.
It is a sad, devastating commentary on Israel's utterly vulnerable position, ^and thoughtful Israelis wonder just how niuch more independence Israel will lose in the months and years ahead. '
succumbec the big lie?
By J.B. SALSBERG
■ 1 am not an alarmist, not even a pessimist. I would call myself an. optimistic realist. But I must confess that much of what is happening around us lately places a terrific strain on the optimistic side of my nature.
But, in addition to undermining my optirnism, the things that I observe also make me very impatient ^ if not angry — with ourselve^ for what we fail to do, or do only lackadaisically;
However, before we can deal with our o»rn, internal inadequacies, we need to turn to the changing moods of the outside world with regards to Jews in geii-eral and Israel in particular.
That "the world" wants to forget the Holocaust and the moral guilt that is associated with it is very well-known by now. Some question the tragic event altogiether. Others seek to minimize its extent. And still others suggests it's high time to forget it. The game of international politics, the lure of Arab gold and profit add to the. flood of propaganda that surrounds us.
The USSR and its allies, the Arab-African front and some global conglomerates, engage in this devilish enterprise. The poisonous big lie that Zionism equals racism is drummed into the ears of countless millions around the worid. Murderers are depicted as heroes and victims are presented as
villains. In the m|dst of this choms of hate, the Soviet Union allows the publication and distribution of outright anti-Semitic material; poison which is readily reprinted in official government publication in countries like Poland.
Thus the big lie about Israel and Jews is spread fiom countless sources through the mass media. The poison is pouring from a thousand pumps and it also seeps into our campuses, press, radio and television. Propagaters of the big He depend on the endless repetition of the lie even in the face of the most challenging truth.
They believe that some, or all of their ' lie, will be inibedded in the minds of people by the very repetition of it. That, of course, was Hitler's essential method and those who" now peddli; the poisonous anti-Israel and anti-Jewish lies are hopeful they, too, will succeed.
That this poisonous seepage corrodes the minds and affects the activities and even the speech of many, otherwise, rational and decent people is^ unfortunately, only too frequently apparent right here, in our own country. For instance:
Mr. Dalton Camp, a veteran, polished and articulate politician, writer and public speaker, has jusit returned from a. trip to the Middle East. Whether he went as a newspaperinan or in some other capiacity, I do not know. 1 doubt whether he went from the Star since the Toronto Star's eminent expert in foreign affairs, Mr. Mark Gajm, was covering the Middle East for that paper at about the same time. Is Dalton Camp anoppo-hent of Israel? I have no reason to think so. Yet, Mr. Camp, ends his first column from that comer of the world with a not-so-gentle suggestion to the Canadian government to take a second look at its Middle East policy.
Mr; Dalton Camp is evidently dazzled by the super-rich Arab oil states. Mr. Camp is also known to be a habitual purveyor of advice to government heads in this country. But, whereas he usually ' does this in a more-or-less behind-the-
scenes manner at home, he evidently found it necessary to offer his present advice all the way from Saudi Arabia...
But what does Mr. Camp want a second look for? Most observers will agree that, with the exception of the Diefenbaker years, no Canadian gov-emmeht .was ever accused of being excessively protective of Israel. So what kind of second look does Mr. C^nip ask for? Who Avould stand to benefit from the second look that Dalton is asking for?
Mr. Gerald Utting, Toronto Star 'reporter, was kidnapped in Beirut by "Arab militants" while on his way to the airport and kept incommunicado for 72 hours. In one of his last stories about tortured Lebanon, he describes the cruelties.. and acts of terrorism pcir-petrated by the different Palestinian gangs. But he ends his story with the laconic question — why do they behave the way they do? Mr. Utting seems to wink at us to imply that he knows why, but he won't spell it oiit just now. After all,  his  captors   were "charming'-' rogues... Mr. Utting prefers to leave it to the imagination of his readers.
During the march of the Gush Emunim to certain occupied territories on the West Bank, the CBC 11 p.m. newscast — the popular cross-country prograin — spoke of 'Zionists" marching. Was this an anti-Israel touch? 1 don't think so. It was an unconscious employment of the big lie that associates Zionism with racism, with everything that's bad. The poisonous seepage oozes out from many sources and blurs the vision and even the language of many innocent people, too. That's its purpose...
More such examples could easily be cited. But, enough for this time. So, what dp we do to counteract ,this seepage? I mean, more particularly, what do we, or what don't we do among our own Jewish students on the campuses of our universiries? lintend to retum to this crucial matter next week.
Golds \^eir" doUs will keep teapots warm in Europe and United StatesNDoUs are made in Israel. Former premier is hot commodity.