SHAffiBAT
VOL. LVI, NO. 31 AB 16,5749 THURSDAY, AUGUST 17,1989
75 Cents
Israel Sun
SUMMER CAMP for orphans and widows of soldiers who fell in iine of duty is held annually by the Association for the Weil-Being of Israel's Soldiers. Newly-appointed Aluf Ran Goren (head of manpower) visits mothers and children.
Jackson calls capture of sheikh 'act of terror'
By ALLISON KAPLAN
NEW YORK ^ Jesse Jack-son IS coming under lire from Jewish groups for calling Israel's capture of Sheikh Abdul Karim Obeid "an act of terror."
The black leader and former Democratic presidential candidate made the remark in an appearance on a Chicago television news program broadcast Aug. 6.
Jackson was discussing the need to end the cycle of violence in the Middle East when he referred to the seizure of the Shiite extremist leader as a "kidnapping."
Asked why he chose to use that terminology, Jackson replied, "Of course it was a kidnapping. It was an act of terror and it was a mistake. It was a provocative act."
Seymour Reich, president of B'nai B'rith International, strongly criticized Jackson for
equating terrorist hostage-taking with the "seizure by a democratic government of a terrorist leader;^'
Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, called Jackson's statement "outrageous" and said it "could not have come at a worse time, when delicate negotiations are taking place for the release of the hostages."
He said the black leader's "serious distortion" is "part of a mindset which is quick first to criticize and blame Israel, and then, sometime later, explain it away."
Jackson also was chided by Sylvia Neil, executive director of the Chicago office of the American Jewish Congress.
"It is incredible and unfortunate that people such as Mr. Jackson misconceive the apprehension of a terrorist to be terrorism," Neil said.
Jackson is no stranger to controversy on issues of con-. cjsrn" to the Jewish ^o>mmun-ii>\' Xm^ric Jews liave regarded Jackson's growing influence within the Democratic Party with wariness.
The community has not forgotten his past references to Jews as "Hymies," his former association with anti-Semitic Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and his sympathetic stance regarding the Palestine Liberation Organization.
"Mr. Jackson has shown that he continually chooses to fault the State of Israel," said Reich, who also chairs the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
"Unless he retracts his most recent ill-advised remarks, he will once again burn his bridges with the Jewish com-JACKSON — Page 8
won't
are set free
ByHUGHORGEL
TEL AVIV — Israeli officials remained firm in rejecting deals and threats offered by Shiite Moslem leaders in Lebanon for the exchange of hostages for prisoners.
Likud Cabinet Minister Ehud Olmert said the government would not be drawn into "vague statements, frequently contradictory, by various people and groupsV to the media."
He was referring to separate deals offered by terrorist groups in exchange for the release of Sheikh Abdul Karim Obeid, the Shiite extremist leader Israeli commandos captured^ July 28.
One terrorist leader, Hussein Mousawi of the Islamic Amal group, told foreign correspondents that his group would kill one of three Israeli
soldiers held in Lebanon if Obeid, a leader of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah, was not immediately released.
"If we find out that the interests of Islam and the
Israel, in fact, has had no word on whether the soldiers, captured as long as three years ago, are still alive. Within Israel, meanwhile.
the right-wing Tehiya and Tsomet parties are seeking to make political capital out of the hostage affair.
Geula Cohen of Tehiya is demanding that Israel reject
lah, spiritual leader of the Hezbollah.
Fadlallah holds the most senior position among the militant spiritual leaders of the Iranian-backed extremist
Moslems, and the interests of any negotiations with Hezbol-the oppressed, dictate that one lah or any other Arab organi-
of the Israelis be killed^ so will rt^l3K5i''lfaid'whose group is also affiliated with Hezbollah.
Another Hezbollah group, the Revolutionary Justice Organization, said it would release U.S. hostage Joseph Cicippio, in exchange for Obeid and 150 Lebanese Shiites and 300 Palestinians held by Israel. The group made no mention of the three Israeli prisoners.
But Olmert threw cold water on that offer, saying Israel would not entertain the release of either Obeid or any other prisoners unless all three Israelis were included in the exchange.
The Israelis have offered to release Obeid and a limited number of Arab prisoners only if the three Israelis and Western hostages held by Hezbollah factions are let go.
zation, put Obeid on^^ Exclude him irbm any prisoner exchange. "He deserves more than a single death sentr ence for what we know he is guilty of," she said.
Cohen also demanded implementation of the death penalty for all Arabs accused of capital crimes. She said they should be excluded from any exchange deal.
Eliahu Ben-Elissar of Likud, chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense committee, rejected Cohen's call for a special session of the committee to discuss the issue, on the grounds that the committee was adequately briefed by senior Israeli military officers.
London reports say that instead of Obeid, Israel had first planned to abduct Sheikh Mohammad Hussein Fadlal-
COHEN . .Obeid "deserves more than single death sentence"
organization, many of whose active members started their terrorist careers as Shiite members of Force 17, an elite commando unit of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
But Fadlallah lives in Beirut, and his kidnapping presented too many problems and dangers to the Israeli military unit that ultimately carried out the capture of Obeid.
Experts warn that the extremist and frequently contradictory statements reported to come from the Hezbollah in recent days should be seen in their proper perspective — as opening bargaining positions that do not necessarily repres-PRISONER SWAP — Page 11
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Josephine Margolis Nadel, Kaleidoscope '89 conference chairperson, was recently interviewed by Kaleidoscope publicity chair Raquel Hirsch.
Q: What is the theme of Kaleidoscope "89?
A: The theme for Kaleidoscope '89, an annual conference for Vancouver Jewish women, sponsored by Women's Division of Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, together with the National Council of Jewish Women, Vancouver Section, is a very timely and exciting one — "Freedom of Expression — Speaking Out." The program is diverse, yet this theme runs through sessions and workshops.
Q: What are the most significant aspects of Kaleidoscope?
A: The theme encompasses, in my view, many significant issues facing Jews and women today — whether they are of a religious, political, social or personal nature. The Kaleidoscope program committee has done an outstanding job of putting together a program which deals with a variety of issues relating to expression — expressing our Jewishness, our relationship to Israel, our feelings about censorship.
We will also examine communication within the family and on a
Robert Edel
MARGOLIS NADEL
more personal level, and tne process ot raising a Jewish cnud.
The conference will highlight many excellent speakers, experts in their field. Rosalie Abella, chairperson of the Ontario Law Reform Commission, will speak on "Jewish conscience and Consciousness — where do we stand?"; and Benjam.in Abileah, Consul General of Israel in Toronto, will lead a plenary session on "Israel — dilemmas in peacemaking." In addition, Abileah will lead a workshop, together with Naomi Frankenburg, Hadassah-WIZO national president; "Israel In Depth," an opportunity for discussion of the current Israeli scene.
Q: Whom will this conference appeal to? Who should attend?
A: Kaleidoscope'89 will, in my view, appeal to Jewish women of all ages, no matter what role they play. 1 truly believe there is something for everyone who attends. Although we are diverse in our activities, I believe that all Jewish women share similar concerns and interests. Although we may not all hold the same views, 1 believe that our objectives are similar.
A forum like Kaleidoscope will give us an opportunity to become informed on these concerns and interests and to become more aware and increase our. understanding of what is happening in Vancouver and in Israel and what role we can play in this process.
KALEIDOSCOPE '89 - Page 9
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