2-THE BULLETIN-Thursday, May 26, 1977
(Eeprintei courtesy Jerusalem Post)
THE VICTORY of the Likud party and its leader Menachem Begin in general elections last week marks an important turning-point in the history of Israel and the Jewish people as well as the entire Middle East.
For Israeli citizens themselves, the end of 29 years of continuous rule by socialist governments is certain to result in major domestic changes emanating from policies that emphasize the free enterprise system and less state welfare.
Based on Mr. Begin's statements to this newspaper two years ago, one of the first measures his new government can be expected to enact will be an austerity program including a ban on the importing of luxury goods.
HE POINTED OUT at that time that Israel hadanannualimbalanceof payments of three billion dollars and must now spend one-third of its income on defence.
"In general we need more simplicity in our lives," he said, "a more modest life-style. The mood of the country is now to live more simply." He predicted this need for austerity would last about five or six years.
The Opposition leader also showed great concern for the poor. "We must and we can liquidate poverty. In some areas there is intolerable living congestion. We must raise the living standards of the poor/' he told us.
In a second interview a year later, following a major address to the Canadian Zionist Federation convention in Jerusalem, Mr. Begin predicted that his Likud party would form the next government: "If we win six additional seats from the Labor party, that is what we need to become a majority."
HE THEN PREDICTED that if that happened, he woiUd invite all other parties to join a cabinet and form a Government of National Unity.
(He did just that last week even before completion of the official counting of ballots had occurred, which when effected would give Likud 43 seats to Labor's 32, Combined with the Religious parties' 19 seats, he is expected to lead a coalition government with a 62-vote majority in the 120-seat Knesset).
ON THE ISSUE of war and peace in the Middle East, a subject uppermost in the minds of politicians and analysts, it is our view that Mr. Begin's election will result in greater not less stability in this area.
The reason for this view is that Arab leaders know that he is not prepared to compromise Israel's security in exchange for an unauthentic peace treaty.
"Our enemies strive to destroy Israel," he told us bne-and-a-half years ago. "I believe that peace will a)me only w.hen ihe Arabs reach the conclusion that they cannot destroy our country. Withdrawal (from; the ad-
ministered territories) without peace will lead to losing the opportunity for peace." (He made an almost identical statement to reporters last week.)
BEGIN DOES NOT favor an imposed peace but one resulting from face-to-face negotiations between the leaders of opposing sides. (Last week he repeated his call for such meetings with Sadat, Assad and Hussein even before assuming the title of Israel's Rosh Hamemshalah — Prime Minister.)
And while he may be ready to go to the peace table prepared to make substantial territorial compromises in the Sinai and the Golan Heights in exchange for a genuine, final peace, lyir. Begin is opposed to returning the West Bank—Judea and Samaria — to foreign rule.
There are two reasons for his position: the first is historic, the second strategic.
As a believer and traditionalist. Begin considers that the return of the Jewish people to their ancient homeland, for which they had suffered and fought, is an act of higher historic justice.
His is the fundamentalist approach of one who believes that Eretz Yisroel, including Judea and Samaria (the West Bank of the Jordan) is just as much a part of the Jewish people's heritage as is the word of The Almighty handed down at Sinai.
Secondly, from the strategic point of view, he is on record as being opposed to the establishment of a P.L.O.-led state on the West Bank, because it would result in the complete and utter destruction of our national security.'
THE LIKUD LEADER said that a state on the West Bank ruled by Yasser Arafat would in no time receive Soviet artillery through an airlift. Then all of Israel's cities and towns would be within range of those conventional guns, not to mention their missiles and rockets. - .
He warned that if that occurred, there would be permanent, cruel bloodshed and the Jewish people would suffer tens of thousands of casualties, virtually another holocaust.
When Mr. Begin spoke in Vancouver a few years ago he brought a message of hope to Jews throughout the world.
This man, who is a legandary figure in the struggle for Jewish self-determination, told our community:
■*My brethren, remember. It is now a question of rational analysis. Fear brought upon us humiliation, persecution, wandering, and ultimately fear led us into the gas chambers,
"Courage brought us a flag, a country, a parliament, a government, a glorious, victorious army, a future, liberty and human dignity. Tlie Jew will always be a man of courage."
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Carter has urged Israel to accept a Palestinian homeland on the West Bank.
An official of the outgoing Labor government said the real test for Begin will be when his emissaries meet U.S. politicians in Washington this week.
"The Americans will lay down the law to Begin's people, and then we'll see if Begm changes his position," he said.
The Likud has long insisted that the West Bank be annexed into Israel, but some observers thought Begin might moderate his position now that it appears virtually certain he will head the govem-
(Continued from Page 1)
the University of the Wit-water srand, with majors in sociology^ English and art history. After several years of teaching at the primary and secondary levels in public schools he became a senior administrative officer in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court. He then entered the service of a private law firm.
He returned to teaching in 1973, becoming principal of Crossroads Remedial school m 1974. In 1975 he became principal of the Yeshiva College Complex of Schools in Johannesburg, a complex of elementary and secondary schools and a Yeshiva College, all under aegis of the South African Jewish Board of Education.
Mr. Widrich is presently principal and religious head of Theodor Herzl Hi^ and Primary schools in Port Elizabeth, also under auspices of the Jewish Board of
Education. *
•Mr. Wklrich is marriied, with twb children. He and his family will tiake up residence in Vancouver this July.
Rabbi Raphael Mihkowitz, raised in Mfflitreal, is a graduate of the Rabbinical College of Canada and received his ordination from the United Lubavitcher YesMvot in New York in 1972. He received his teacher certification from the Torah tJ'Mesorah Teachers Institute and'for several years was a senior teabher at Rogosin Yeshiva High school in New Jersey.
At the same time he taught a special class at the Flatbush Yeshiva Day school, as well as teaching public school students in a 'rdeas^-time' program.
Rabbi Minkowitz has worked extensively with youth groups in both North America and Jerusalem, Israel.
In Vancouver since 1974, Rabbi
Minkowitz was youth director for Schara Tzedeck as well as a teacher at Tahnud Torah. He also served as head teacher of the North Shore Hebrew school.
Rablji Minkowitz is married with three children.
Spokesmen stated that both Mr. Widrich and Rabbi Minkowitz look forward to a year of development and progress for Talmud Torah:
TEL AVIV — Israel Aircraft Industries are currently planning an Israel-made helicopter, to become available within four years.
Remember the Sabbath
Sabbath begins, light candles
Friday, May 27,8:44 Sedra Naso, Numbers Sabbath ends, Havdallah May 28,9:44
Friday, June 3,8:51 Sedra Beha'aloteche, Numbers Sabbath ends, Havdallah . June4,9:51
JEWISH CALENDAR LUACH 5737-1977
RoshChodesh
Tammnz..........June 16-17
ShivaAsarB'Tammoz...July 3
Rosh Chodesh Av....... Joly 16
Tisha B*Av............ .July 24
Tfl B'Av.............. .Joly 30
Rosh Chodesh EIoI . .Aug. 14-15 Rosh Hashona ..... Sept. 13-14
ment after nearly 29 years in opposition.
After the election victory. Begin said he is willing to meet Arab leaders for peace talks and his position does not preclude compromise with Egypt oh the Israeli-occupied Sinai and with Syria on the occupied Golan Heights.
DEVEiOPPAIN CONTROi DEVICE
TEL AVIV — A kibbutz-based electronics plant has achieved what it calls a sophisticated breakthrough in the development of a transistor^sized nerve stimulator to control pain.
The device, called Neurogar, is produced by Agar Electronics of Kibbutz Ginossar. Weighing only 200 grams, it controls pain through transcutanieduS nerve stimulation.
The manufacturers and testers at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem say that Neurogar can, for the first time, offer pulse width modulation —^ penetraticm of pain-easing stimulation to previously unrjeached depths inside muscle fibres.
Workmg with the blood flow, it can give effective pain relief to the back, elbows and knees.
Neurogar's manufacturers are making it available only with physician's approval. It will sell in the $200 range.
TERRORiSrS SENTENCED
GAZA—The five Arab terrorists who landed on a Tel Aviv beach in broad daylight last Rosh Hashona were sentenced to prison terms ranging from four to 20 years.
- DEATHS 1977
JOSEPH YACKNESS May 14
As another Bulletin community service feature. Deaths will be published weekly as they are registered.—THE PUBLISHER.
PARIS-Sir James Goldsmith, the Jewish industrialist and financier, has bought "L*E:q?ress", the French magazine, which has a circulation of more than 750,000. He paid its owner, Jean-Jacques Servan-Schreiber, the equivalent of $8 million.
*L'Express" has always been pro-Israel.
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Thursday, May 26,1977
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