Dr. Berger and Rabbi Miller Clash During Debate on Israel and Mideast Peace

An Arab sided with a rabbi on the Mideast question and another rabbi called the first one a "pro-Arab Jew" in a heated debate on WOR-TV’s "Tempo 9" program this morning. Ghazi Khankan, producer of WHBI Radio’s "Arabesque." echoed the opinion of anti-Zionist Rabbi Elmer Berger formerly of the American Council on Judaism, that peace won’t come until Israel arranges "some equitable formula" on the Palestinian Arab situation. Rabbi Alan W. Miller, author of "The God of Daniel S.–In Search of the American Jew charged he was confronted on one side by an anti-Israeli Arab, and on the other by a "pro-Arab Jew" who was willing to make uncalled for concessions to the Arabs. "The reality," Rabbi Miller asserted, "is that Israel has won a war from the Arabs and they refuse to lie down and talk peace."

Howard M. Squadron, co-chairman of the AJ Congress’ governing council, said Dr. Berger’s approach to the issues was "insidious," and that his opposition to the establishment of a Jewish State was "unmatched by any other person of Jewish extraction anywhere in the world." Mr. Squadron alleged the Arabs won’t negotiate "because they don’t want peace." But Dr. Berger insisted that "Israel should withdraw from occupied territory," under United Nations truce keeping auspices, in return for Arab recognition of her existence.

Mr. Khankan stated that the Feb. 21 Swiss air disaster that cost 47 lives was probably caused when "ammunition destined for Israel blew up by accident," since sabotage is "not in the interest" of the Palestinian Arabs. He called the notion of Israeli democracy "really a laugh," claiming Arabs can’t be citizens, Rabbi Miller said he was jumbling the law of citizenship with the Law of Return, and called the Arab countries "pseudo-democratic." "We don’t claim to be a democracy," Mr. Khankan retorted, but shortly after asserted the Arabs want "a democratic, pluralistic society in Palestine" on the basis of "one man, one vote."