Leaders stand with Israel
BARRY COHEN
Community Editor
Israeli voters, in overwhelmingly electing Ariel Sharon prime minister, have expressed their desire for change. But Phoenix Jewish community leaders say that during this time of political flux, solidarity with Israel must remain resolute.
"The role of the Jewish community outside of Israel is always the same, and that role is to support the democratically elected government and to lobby on behalf of that government," said Philip Sheinbein, chairman of the Israel Affairs committee of the Jewish Community Relations Council, at a Feb. 6 election day gathering at the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix.
Tami Schultz, JCRC director, said Valley Jews ought to go on federation solidarity missions to Israel and use the local federation as a vehicle to show continued support.
Schultz is hopeful that despite political changes in both the United States and Israel, the peace process will move forward.
"The Bush administration - Colin Powell, Dick Cheney, and the whole foreign policy team - is not going to play the same cards as the Clinton administration," she said. The United States will be a good mediator between the Israelis and the Palestinians, she added, because the Bush team will not be as personally and emotionally invested in the process as President Clinton had been.
Schultz said she is prepared to respond, depending upon how the U.S.-Israel relationship develops.
"If we see that the peace process is moving in a direction we are not comfortable with, and we feel the current administration is moving towards an oil-friendly atmosphere rather than a pro-peace atmosphere," said Schultz, "we'll advocate on those issues."
"This is the time to show support to Israel," said Shmulik Lahar, shaliach of the federation's Israel Center. "Showing support is not just calling your congressman or sending e-mails. We as Jews should encourage our non-Jewish friends to go visit Israel."
Lahar returned from Israel a week and a half ago, after leading Birthright college tours for seven weeks.
Israel is dependent upon tourism, he explained. Despite the media's coverage of violence between Israelis and Palestinians, he said life in Israel goes on.
"Unfortunately, it is sad to say it, but (intifada) does not shock us anymore. But unemployed people losing their jobs - that hurts."
Valley Jews need to reach out to the non-Jewish community and stress that Israel is looking for peace, said Herman Brown, vice-chairman of the Arizona chapter of the Jewish Labor Committee.
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