3N NIODNI" I S y OOST I
SERVING NEBRASKA, IOWA Vol. OCII NO. 55
Omaha, lisb., Fri., Ecptembsr 14, 1884
o/7 genocide By David Friedman WASHINGTON (JTA) — President Reagan went before a large Jewiuh audience to officially announce that his Administration will now "vigorously support" U.S. ratification of the United Nations Convention against genocide. "I want you to know that we intend to use the Convention in our efforts to expand human freedom and fight human rights abuses around tho world," Reagan told the biennial convention of B'nai B'rith International at the Sheraton Washington Hotel. "Like.you, I say in a forthright voice, 'never again.'" B'nai B'rith has long called for the adoption of the Genocide Convention. But the President has refused to call for its ratification by tho Senate up to now, apparently because of opposition from some conservatives. The State Department announced the new position. Reagan explained that the decision was made after a "long and exhaustive study" because of concern about the International covenant "in part due to the human rights abuses performed by some nations that have already ratified the document." • The General Assembly of the United Na-vtions approved unanimously on Dec. 9,1948 a Convention on the Prevention and Punishmentbf the Crime of Genocide. The Convention specified that "genocide is a crime under international law which the civilized . world condemns, and for the commission of which principals and accomplices are punishable." More than 90 countries, with the notable exception of the United States have approved the Convention, which was prompted by the Nazi mass wartime slaughter of six million Jews. • The Convention was passed by the General Assembly partly because of the persistent efforts of Raphael Lemkin, a Polishborn Jewish attorney, who coined the term "genocide" and worked vigorously for years to get UN approval of the proposal. The United States participated in drafting the Convention and President Truirnn sent it to the Senate in 1949. Every ..'*ai-
dent since then, except Eisenhower, and, previously, Reagan, lias recommended approval but it has been blocked repeatedly by conservatives and isolationists in the Senate who fear it would expose Americans to dubious charges of genocide before a foreign court lacking American constitutional guarantees. Reagan's speech, which was interrupted many times by applause, included his declaration of support of Israel, a rejection of anti-Semitism and of quotas, and a denunciation of the Sandinista regime in Nicaragua as anti-Semitic. But he spoke only briefly about the issue of separation of church and state and not ' at all about the issue of religion in politics which was the theme of Walter Mondale, the Democratic Presidential nominee, in his speech to the same group about three hours earlier. Reagan praised the: development that is occurring in which millions of Americans, including Jews, are returning to faith. The President said that as Americans wel. corned this development, they "must ever more fervidly attack ugly intolerance. We have nb place for haters in America," he asserted. Reagan declared that the U.S. "is and must remain a nation of openness to people of all beliefs. Our very unity has been strengthened by this pluralism." ., He saidfs'Tiie' ideals of bur, country leave " no room whatsoever for intolerance, antiSemitism or bigotry of any, kind — none. The unique thing about America is a wall in our constitution separating church and state. It guarantees there never will be a state religion in this land, but at the same time it makes sure that every single American is free to choose and practice his or her religious belief or to choose no religion at all. Their rights shall not be questioned or (continued on page 2)
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By David Friedman that challenge for myself, for Geraldine FerWASHINGTON (JTA) — Former Vice raro and for the Democratic Party. And I President Walter Mondale accused Presi- call on Mr. Reagan to do the same." dent Reagan of giving in to a "moral Mondale gave several examples of what McCarthyism" by seeking to brand his po- he called were efforts "by a determined litical opponents as anti-religious. band" to use "government power to impose "No President should attempt to trans- their own beliefs on other people and the form policy debate into theological dis- Reagan Administration has opened their putes," Mondale told some 1,500 persons at arms to them." the biennial convention of B'nai B'rith InAmong those ho listed were Sen. Paul ternational. "We must not let it be thought Laxalt of Nevada who sent a "Dear Christhat political dissent from him is un-Chris- tian Leader" letter to 45,000 ministers,.asktian. And he must not cast opposition to his ing support for Reagan, the Rev. Jerry programs as opposition to America." Falwell, "whose benediction at the RepubMondale also made a strong denunciation lican Convention called Mr. Reagan and of bigotry^and anti-Semitism. "All my life, Mr. Bush, 'God's instruments for rebuilding I have fought anti-Semitism, racism and America;1" the Rev. Jimmy Swaggart, who every other spiritual obscenity," Mondale Mondale said "insists that Catholicism is a said. "All intolerance is ugly, whether it.^ 'false religion' and that Jews are damned to wears the sheets of the |Cu KIux Klan or go to hell" but "is a welcome policy adviser spreads the slurs of the Christian Voice. AH at the White House." Mondale said that behatred is poison, whether it comes from the cause of the attacks, for the first time in his mouth of Rabbi (Meir) Kahano or the radio 25 years of public life, he has to defend his program of Louis Fanakhan." own political statements. He gave his credo , In introducing Mondale to the audience, as: : : . • . . . - . Billy Goldberg, a former B'nai B'rith In"I believe in an America where all people ternational vice president, noted that Mon- have the right to pursue their faith not just dale had attended more B'nai B'rith freely, but also without insult or embarmeetings than many of those present. Mon- rassment; where religious freedom is not a dale told them "we have worked together passive tolerance but an active celebration for over 25 years for a just and-caring Amer- of our pluralism. .ica.ibr a strong.Israel ond.for freedom and "I believe in ari America that gives— as '•tiUsHarVlights' rjSumttTie -world." ~ .":"~T*~ i3eo?|a"17a3iu:ig£6iv:iWi'c>£6to tha Touro MondaleV speech concentrated on the Synagogue — 'to bigotry ho sanction, to church-state issue, particularly following persecution no assistance.' President Reagan's speech at a prayer "I believe in an America that has been a breakfast during the Republican National home and refuge for people from every-faith. Convention in Dallas in which Reagan Our government is the protector of every acccused opponents of prayer in the schools faith because it is the exclusive property of as being intolerant of religion. none. "B'nai B'rith is opposed to Mr. Reagan's "I believe in an America that honors what amendment," on school prayer, Mondale Thomas Jefferson first called the 'wall of said. "I would not call you intolerant of re- separation between church and state.' That ligipn." Mondale charged that Reagan, who freedom has made our faith unadulterated addressed this group later in the day, "in- and unintimidated. It has made Americans stead of construing dissent from him in the most religious people on earth. Today, good faith . . . has insulted the motive of the religion clauses of the First Amendment those who disagree with him, including me." do not need to be fixed; they need to be Mondale, who was applauded numerous followed. times for his statements on freedom of re"I believe in an America where governligion, said he accepted the "challenge" ment is not permitted to dictate the relifrom a group of Catholic, Protestant, Bap- gious life of our people; where religion is a tist and Jewish leaders in New York for the private matter between the individuals and political parties to commit themselves to God, between families and their churches * the:, spirit "of religious tolerance. "I accept (continued on page 2)
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More than 7QO members of the Jewish community and members of Joslyn Museum attended the preview opening of Danzig 1939: Treasures of a Destroyed Community nt the Museum last Sunday. At left is one of the exhibit cases containing ritual objects from the Great Synagogue of Danzig.'More photos on Page 3.