Rabbi Counters Media On Israeli, PLO War

by Jacob Schadd Jr. WILDWOOD — Recently returned from a personal fact-finding trip to war-tom Lebanon, a local rabbi contends the American news media, especially television, has distorted Israel's role in its war against the Palestine Liberation Organization. "I read and heard so many adverse things about Israel that I decided to go into Lebanon and find out myself,” said Rabbi Seymour Atlas of Beth Judah Synagogue. Wildwood. ”1 could not believe that the Israeli Army was as crfiel as the media said it was,” Rabbi Atlas and- wife Beverly had scheduled a triplto Israel Iona before the war broke out. but when they*arnved on

has wrought in the small towns Israel had recaptured They visi^dd heavily fortified B&Hjfort Castle, which was retaken by Ismel after bloody fighting They spent time fo the towns of Aashiye and Nevatia and Maryoun and Demur where, the rabbi .said, more than loo.too Christians were killed by the PLO. “In one Christian church." he said, "200 people were machine tfunned anctthe PLO blew the legs off the statue of Jesus Christ '' When the namV of PLO guerilla chief Yasir Arafat is mentioned. Rabbi Allas shows much distress "There were photographs of Arafat holding babies in his firm*, implying that he loves children.” said the rabbi "Arafat

“II is true that the hospitals were bomhed, hut it was because the PLO was using, them as citadels”

Rabbi Seymour Atlas ami wife Reverhy^efer to map of Israel. r 11 1 „

I

August 4 as part of a tour he made new arrangements to enter Lebanon for a 14-hour visitation. His wife was with him ONE OF THE STORIES that distOrbed him was that the Israeli forces were bombing hospitals wa .only "It is true that the hospitals were bombed, but it was because \he PLO was using them as citadels," the rabbi Explained. "The PLO was hiding behind the skirtsvof women and children and had gun.<i and other weapons pointing out of the windows." He also charged that he'nevet saw one Israeli casualty on television, only those of the PLO. Yet, he said, when he was in the Plaza Hotel in Jerusalem he saw the maimed bodies of Israeli soldiers who were brought to the hotel for reunions with their families. WITH A GROUP of 40 people, including Israeli legislators. Rabbi Atlas and his wife traveled by bus lo within 40 miles of Beirut and saw the devastation the war

ARE MAY COUNTY

COUNTY ^ N

Vol.17 No.35

IW2 i»<n»ov« C<xp All f,gM« r»««rv»d

September 1,1982

hTld thojje babies because he knew no one would shoot him with a baby in.his arms." ANSWERING THE American media.

Rabbi Atlas said:

"Before people coidemn they should know the true facts Then they’ will see where th*> fault lies Then they will know jl is the PLO who mast blamed, not Israel The PLO Is nothing but a terrorist group So many newspapermen passed judge- • menr without beinjg there, without understanding the entfre story " The rabbi and his wife made the trip at considerable risk ' They had to sign a release that they would riot hold the Israeli government r'esponsible for any injuries • Nevertheless..the Army still tried to stop them from crossing the border, and only 1 the the intervention of the Israeli legislators permitted : them to continue Their bus went through mine fields and then were told that thgy should not accept anything from anyone in lx*banon for fear

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The-

News~.

. Week"? Digest Top Storie s Violent {Crime Up

Violent crime in Cape :>er cnit above the state.

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‘That’s Incredible’^

A Thousand Books the First Day

by Rob Shiles VILLAS — County library director Thomas Leonard has always said a library branch in Lower Township will get plenty of use. but what he saw last Thursday when the facility on Bayshore Rd. had finally opened was more than he expected. "That's incredible." he explained, pointing to the first day's circulation figures showing that more than 1,000 books had

been checked out. "That's as manias on a good in Court House." According to the director, before doors opened at 9 a.m. people were already lining up outside. "By the time I arrived shortly after nine, there were already about 30 people in the building,” he said, adding thdrthroughout opening day the library was visited by a good mixture of both adults and young people "I WAS I IMPRESSED by the number of totally new library users that came in." Leonard continued. He said that the library staff was kept busy processing library cards for new registrants "We Ihought a branch would do quite well here," he added. "Over the years we’ve had more requests for direct library services from Lower Township than anywhere else in the county." Leonard said that the facility — which cost in excess of $630,000 to build is now housing some 25,000 volumes and is ex

NOTICE

FINAL SUNSET PARADE of the season is this Sunday at the US Coast Guard Training Center. Cape May. The public sliould be seated in the parade grounds bleachers by 7:15 p.m.

Bccaase of the Labor Day weekend, earlier deadlines will prevail for the edition of Wednesday, Sept 8 News copy must be submitted no later than Wednesday. Sept. 1. and advertising copy will be accepted until 5 pm. on Thursday. Sept. 2. The newspaper will return to the regular deadlines of Thursday for news and Friday for advertising following- the Sept. 8 edition.

peeled to increase oyer the years to 40,000 volumes ; He indicated that both the building and.library services to be provided are anticipated to grow along with the community. INCLUDED IN THE one-story, 7.500 sq ft. building lotrated next to the township municipal corqplex are separate periodical and reading rooms, a childreM; room, staff offices* and a multi-use room for library, and community use The pro.perty on Bayshore Rd. was selected to house the county facility after several other potential sit(>s including the I^ower Cape May Regional High School, and the old township hall — were explored Centrally located, the property encompasses about one acre and is being leaded from the township for 99 years at $1 per year Last week's opening comes after several years of planning for a branch library. The idea, according to Leonard, was conceived in the early 1970s when the state Library Commission funded and prepared a master plan that recommended considera-

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■“Football Mania If you have football mania and you're hungry for an early season game, then turn to today's sports pages for news of a special action attraction right here in Cape May County on Saturday. September 4

TRENTON May soared 6 per . average m 1981. according to State Police Uniform Crime Repie-ts released last

week.

The reports indicate the county's violent crime rate was up It per cent while the statewide increase was only 5 per cent. Non-violenf crime also'jumped in the coun ty by 3 per cent THIS YEAR’S REPORT for the first time spells out that figures could be misleading fqr tourist oriented eomrfiunities. The state currently uses the per manent population of a community and not seasonal population when compiling its figures. Resort officials have long opposed .die system because the results are .m in Mated crime rate for communities that have large population increases during the summer Hearing on Kennel LOWER TWP The local Board of Health tomorrow. Sept 2, is expected to hold a hearing to determine if animal warden and county SPCA director Dennis Kelly is to hav'c his license renewed to operate a kenneflhere on S. Bayshore Rd.. adjacent to the Cape May Canal The session will begin al 6:30 p m at township /mil. Villas At the recommendation of.its solicitor, township committee last week tabled renewing the license until after a determination is made if health regulations are being violated Committeewoman Peggie Bierberbach vofPd against tabling the renewal, saying the license should be immediately denied.

Just for Food MIDDLE TWP An off-duty police captain inside an alleged Wiidwbod speakeasy when it was recently raided by State Police and Alcohol Beverage Control Com mi as iOf) officers, said last Week he had (Page 16 Please)