6 — THE BULLETIN — Wednesday, September 14.1994
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snt policy," Abraham Fox-man, ADL national director, has asked the State department to "expeditiously investigate" the allegations.
In a letter sent to Secretary of State Warren Christopher, Foxman wrote, "Surveillance by a foreign government in the United States against American citizens would be a serious
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of the host country and, possibly, an illegal violation of First Amendment privacy rights of American citizens."
Al-Khilewi has not publicly named the ADL as a target of Saudi surveillance, but the claims to have information on at least four Jewish groups that were spied on by the Saudi government, according to his spokesman, Michael Wildes.
Wildes* father. Douglas, a New York immigration attorney, is representing al-Khilewi in his quest for political asylum.
Al-Khilewi has refused to name other Jewish groups beyond the JDL and Jewish Defense Organization, two militant Jewish groups.
Irv Rubin, national chairman of the JDL, which was founded by the late Rabbi Meir Kahane, first heard
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tions on ABCs newsmagazine "20/20".
"His story sounds credible to me," Rubin said in a telephone interview from California. "I am very shocked by it because Saudi Arabia is supposed to be our friend."
Upset by al-Khilewi's charges that his organization has been spied on by the Saudi government, Rubin contacted U.S. Rep. David
From Page 1
honored at a Sunday luncheon. Main speakers will be B.C. Premier Mike Har-court and Ontario Court of Appeal Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella.
On Sunday, Beilin, Steinberg and Moshe Ronen, national chair of CJC*s Israel affairs committee, will lead what organizers expect to be a stimulating session on Israel, Diaspora and Jewish continuity.
Israel-born Beilin has often spoken out on his vision of a renewed Israel-Diaspora relationship. He is also a firm believer in the importance of Jewish continuity in the Diaspora.
The significance of Jewish continuity is highlighted by the fact that, according to a 1991 census report, twice the number of Jews in Vancouver, compared to the national Jewish community, live in intermarried families (24.3 percent V. 13 percent).
Steinberg, Beilin and Ronen are expected to discuss the North American aspect of the problem of Jewish continuity.
To give out-of-town delegates time to prepare for the trip home, the conference's final session is scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday.
CJC officials expect a
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large turnout for this "first" for Western Canadian Jewry.
For more information on the conference, including special hotel rates, contact CJC Pacific Region: phone (604) 257-5101; fax (604) 257-5131.
MOROCCO From Page 1
Arabia, as well as Western business leaders.
"The summit represents a continuation of (Hassan's) leadership in the area for peace," said Pollack.
B'nai B'rith Canada(BBC) heartened by the report out-hning the new relations being developed between Morocco and Israel, sent a letter today to Moroccan Ambassador Tajeddine Bad-dou.
Dr. Lawrence Hart, National Chair of the Institute for International Affairs of BBC and Paul Marcus, National Institute Director, wrote:
"It is wonderful to witness this exchange of relations, especially during the season of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year and a traditional time of peace."
This exchange of liaison offices marks the second time since its creation that Israel has officially been recognized by one of its Arab neighbors.
"We are hopeful"' stated Dr. Hart and Mr. Marcus, "that this marks the beginning of a trend toward a comprehensive peace among Israel and its neighbors."
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From Page 2
rabbinical courts to have a man imprisoned in order to force him to grant a get. But for those not imprisoned, the bill would bar these men from getting a passport, opening a bank account, getting a job in the public sector or working in a field which requires a government license.
The bill was discussed in a special meeting of the Knesset law committee. It is expected to take it up again with judges from the religious courts before it is put before the full Knesset for a vote.
Dreier (R-Calif.) and asked him to look into the charges.
After receiving Rubin's request, Dreier contacted U.S. Rep. Lee Hamilton(D-Ind.), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, to discuss al-Khilewi's allegations, according to Brian Bieron, Dreier's legislative assistant for foreign affairs. "These are serious allegations," Bieron said. "Congress will not let them fall through the cracks."
However, Congress is unlikely to investigate al-Khilewi's allegations until late September, according to Chris Madison, an aide to the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Al-Khilewi emerged from his isolation and protective custody to meet with members of Congress.
Al-Khilewi and Wildes said members of Congress with whom they met expressed interest in holding congressional hearings based on Al-Khilewi's allegations, including its funding of Hamas.
"The Saudi royal family is involved in many terrorist activities all around the world," Al-Khilewi said at a news conference on the steps of the Capitol building.
The royal family, according to Al-Khilewi, has sponsored terrorist activities in order to scuttle the peace negotiations between Israel and its Arab neighbors and to strengthen its undemocratic rule over the country.
The Saudi government is "trying to destroy the nego-' tiations" by "encouraging activities against the peace," according to Al-Khilewi
However, when pressed by reporters to provide evidence supporting his charges, Al-Khilewi did not offer any documentation.
The Saudi Arabian Embassy here did not return numerous requests for comment.
Michael Wildes criticized the U.S. government for not investigating his client's charges fiercely enough. He charged that the Clinton administration does not want to harm its relationship with the Saudi government.
However, FBI and State Department sources say they are looking into the matter and are considering Al-Khilewi's request for asylum.
Wildes also said he fears that Al-Khilewi's application for political asylum will be judged in the United States.,
"This political asylum application places the United States government in a very awkward position because presumably the U.S. and Saudi Arabia are best friends and they would have to admit that their best friend is doing something wrong in their backyard," Wildes said.
While Jewish groups have asked for investigations of Al-Khilewi's charges, Mustafa Malik, research director for the American Muslim Council, said his group has no specific information on Al-Khilewi's allegations and it will not ask that the matter be investigated.
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One doesn't even have to enter Schara Tzedeck Synagogue to see some of the results of a recent $800,000 renovation project.
Begun last April, the undertaking aimed to unify the front of the building into a single cohesive unit, according to project architect Jack Lutsky.
The project was funded in its entirety by the Diamond Foundation.
The original synagogue was erected in 1949, Lutsky told JWB during a tour of the recent change. An addition was completed in 1963.
The front entrance to the shul has been made more definitive, Lutsky noted, by the use of a unified paint scheme and the addition of multi-level plazas leading to the main front doors.
The plazas, though, do more than define the front entrance, the architect said.
"They create a space for worshippers to congregate after shul,'' Lutsky pointed out. "Prior to this, people flowed out on to the sidewalks and it was not only