Israelis speak out at local forum

By Timothy Pratt (contact)

Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001 | 10 a.m.

An Israeli diplomat and two Israeli citizens on Monday offered their take on the conflict and peace initiatives in the Middle East to a Las Vegas audience -- even as press accounts from the region announced possible ceasefire talks between Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres.

Daniel Taub, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yehuda Shacham, a psychologist who works on how violence affects the Israeli population, and Sharon Evans, whose daughter survived a recent Palestinian attack, held a press event at the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas. The three were welcomed by Mayor Oscar Goodman.

Taub said the group's visit to Las Vegas was part of a larger tour that involved 10 diplomats and citizens in 23 cities speaking about what he called the political and human interest aspects of the current situation in Israel.

The group hopes to stir up interest in visiting Israel. Taub said this is important for the Israeli economy, as the conflict has produced a drop in tourism.

"Jews in America often feel disconnected from Israel, and need to see that what happens there has to do with them," Leonard Stone, who works in community relations with the Jewish Federation, said.

Stone said the Las Vegas Jewish community numbers about 75,000 and is the fastest-growing Jewish population in the country, having increased from 50,000 in the last decade.

He said the local Jewish Federation raised $317,000 in 2000 for overseas allocations, including donations to Israel for such needs as bulletproof windows in nursery schools.

Shacham said that about 20 percent of Israel's children suffer post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the ongoing violence in the region.

"Many people in Israel will need psychological help for years to come," he said.

Taub said he also hopes with this tour to get American media to understand the difference between Palestinian terrorist acts, such as recent suicide bombings, and Israeli military retaliation against figures thought to be behind such bombings.

He said Israel wanted to counter what he called an incorrect perception of Arafat in recent months.

"Arafat's standing has improved in the eyes of the world community -- how is this possible?" Taub asked.

Taub also commented on announcements of possible ceasefire talks on the heels of 11 months of violence.

"There is a strong feeling in Israel that we may not have the right atmosphere to hold these talks in the first place," he said.

"Arafat is not showing the willingness to stop the violence."