Israeli Pacifist: The Life of Joseph Abileah

A musician living inok? clearer with ``born in Austria'' Haifa, a pacifist, Quaker and conscientious objector, Joseph Abileah, who was born in Austria in 1915, has created harmony not only on the viola, but in building bridges between Arabs and Jews. A convert to Gandhi's nonviolent philosophy, he has worked for protecting minority rights in Israel and on cooperative projects bringing together Jews and Arabs. His call for a tripartite confederation which would unite Arab Palestine, Israel and Jordan in tackling common regional problems is now given serious consideration in some quarters. An opponent of right-makes-might nationalism, Abileah, in this quietly inspirational biography, presents an alternative vision of what the Middle East might look like. Bing teaches at Earlham College in Indiana. Photos. (June)