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Islamic election win in Turkey boosts fear among Jews
Natalie Rubin retires An estimated 200 ex-Soviets who have been resettled in Omaha the past several years attended a retirement party for Natalie Rubin, Russian resettlement coordinator, last week at the Jewish Community Center. FVom left are Anna Kuperman, Mrs. Rubin and Eugene Elkin. See coverage on page 4.
Blaclc-Jewish tensions linger after attacic By Adam Dickter New York Jewish Week NEW YORK (JTA) Even as police iavestigate the role of racebaiting protesters in the violence at Freddy's Fashion Mart, and as Jewish and black leaders struggle to find common ground in the aftermath, some of the protesters have yet to cool their rhetoric. Morris Powell, chair-
man of the 125th Street Vendors Association, held a memorial service Dec. 17 at the charred ruins of the Jewishowned store in Harlem for Roland Smith Jr., the man police said opened fire on customers and employees before setting Freddy's ablaze and shooting himself Dec. 8. Seven people, in addition to Smith, died in
Canada, Israel pursue free trade By Gil Kezwer TORONTO (JTA) — Canada and Israel are planning 8 new round of talks aimed at reaching a free-trade agreement. David Berger, Canada's ambassador to Israel, announced this week that the two sides plan to hold three days of negotiations starting Jan. 6 in Tel Aviv. Berger said it is uncertain if a free-trade agreement would include agricultural as well as industrial products. Israeli Agricultural Minister Ya'akov Tsur opposes a resumption of the talks, arguing that a freetrade accord with Canada would harm Israeli farmers without bringing them substantial bene-
fiu. But Berger said en accord could b« reached despite Tsur'a opposition. Appointed to the post in July, Berger is Canada's md Jrwiiih nmbasiador to Israel.
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Labor Party advances primaries
the carnage. Powell also led a group of protesters one day after the massacre to Bargain World, another Jewish-owned store on 126th Street. Powell could not be reached for comment. "I was astonished with the bad taste these folks have to protest while the bodies were still in the morgue," said an American Jewish Committee official.
By Alev Bracha ISTANBUL,{JTA) The victory of Turkey's pro- Islamic party in the parliamentary elections here has led to fears of political instability and has raised questions about the future of the secular yet overwhelmingly Mushm country. The religious-based Welfare Party won slightly more than 21 percent of the vote in the national elections, the first time the Islamic party came in first in a general election since the secular Turkish republic was formed in 1923 after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in World War I. The Welfare Party wants to strengthen Turkey's ties with Muslim countries, to pull Turkey out of NATO and to make Islamic principles the basis for the country's social system. The conservative True Path Party of Prime Minister Tansu Ciller received slightly under 20 percent — a fraction of a percentage point more than its bitter conservative rival, the
Motherland Party. per, said there was Under Turkey's sys- 'some concern in the tem of proportional rep- Jewish community resentation, this trans- here" because of lates into an expected Erbakan's use of anti158 seats for Welfare, Semitic comments, such 135 seats for the True as his talk of Zionist Path Party and 132 control in world affairs. "But I don't think this seats for the Motherland Party. is a priority issue with Two social democratic him. It's more rhetoric," parties received a total Kohen added. of 125 seats in the 550Turkey's population of some 25,000 Jews — member Parliament. The ris^ or the Welfare out of an overwhelmingParty — albeit with a ly Moslem population of narrow margin — has about 60 million — has raised some fea,rs lived relatively well among Turkey's small since arriving here_ 500 Jewish community, years ago after their which has reacted with expulsion from Spain in worry to the tirades of 1492. Political analysts this the party's leader, Necmettin Erbakan, week called on Ciller's against "Zionist domi- True Path Party and on nation.'* the Motheriand Party to During the election join together in a coalicampaign. Welfare tion to block the reliParty officials often led gious-based Welfare crowd* in efaanta to free Party. "About 80 percent of the' Palestinians and to help Muslims in other the Turkish people used their vote for a Turkey parts of the world. They also promised to that is oriented toward break the hold of the secularism, modernism "Christian West" by and the West. But it was unclear joining with other Muslim nations. whether they could put Saffli Kohen, foreign aside their personal difaffairs columnist for the ferences to agree to govdaily Milliyet newspa- ern together.
Hamas refuses to halt attacks and participate in elections By Naomi Segal JERUSALEM (JTA) — The militant fundamentalist Hamas organization has refused to halt violent attacks against Israelis, according to reports on reconciliation talks in Cairo between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas. The two groups concluded four days of talks Thursday, reportedly failing to reach agreement on all mE^or issues. Palestine Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat reportedly dropped plans to attend the final day of talks after Hamas ofBdals refused to participate in the Palestinian elections scheduled for Jan. 20. An official with the Palestinian Authority said the level of success at the Ulks was "absolutely zero," according to reports. Hours after the talks ended, the two sides were said to be haggling over the final wording of a joint statement. But Palestinian Authority officials said one point of agrMment was reacbad: Hamas, which violently oppose* tb* Israeli-Palestinian peace process, would not call on it* fbUowar* to boycott the elections for a governing Palestinian Council. In addition, Hamas said it would participate in leparata local and trade-union elections.
JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel's ruling Labor Party has set April 17 as the date for it« internal primaries, two months before originally scheduled. All Labor Party members are sntitled to participate in the primaries, which datormine the placement of candidate* on the party list submitted to voters in the national elections. vaa!;»ias4ij*iSESKSiEi?aiaaitj6fas;
Speedy Zweiback and his dog, Abby, relax after running the eight-mile Hanukkah Torch Run for Peace and Unity for all Humanity, tponiored by Henry Monsky Lodge of B'nal B'rith recently. Fifteen ruu' ner*, not Including pets, participate.