By Jaime Castillo
San Antonio Express-News

Web Posted : 11/05/2001 12:00 AM

The United States and its allies must have a "moral clarity" that is unflinching toward terrorists if the current military campaign in Afghanistan is to be successful, former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a Sunday night speech in San Antonio.

Benjamin Netanyahu (center), former Israeli prime minister, pays a visit Sunday to the Alamo before a speaking engagement at Cornerstone Church. Photo by Kevin Geil/Express-News

Comparing the moment in history to the fight against Nazi Germany, Netanyahu called on world leaders to turn a deaf ear to the grievances of anyone linked to the type of violence that toppled the World Trade Center and damaged the Pentagon.

"Roosevelt and Churchill, the leaders of the Alliance (in World War II), did not say, 'I wonder what the roots of Nazism are?'" he said. "They said, 'Nothing justifies Nazism,' and today we must say all terrorism is bad and that nothing justifies terrorism."

Netanyahu made his remarks to about 6,000 people who packed the main building of the cavernous Cornerstone Church and an adjacent prayer center to participate in the congregation's 20th annual "A Night to Honor Israel."

The eloquent statesman, rumored to be interested in seeking the prime minister's post again, came to San Antonio under tight security as a guest of the Rev. John Hagee, who built the church through his successful television ministry. Hagee said donations collected during the event would be dedicated to the relief effort.

Earlier in the day, Netanyahu gave a speech in Houston.

The crowd in San Antonio included numerous members of the local Jewish community, including Rabbi Aryeh Scheinberg and Rabbi Jack Segal, as well as representatives of the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston.

Striding back and forth across a stage with giant-sized American and Israeli flags serving as a backdrop, Netanyahu said the truth must be sought amid the intense fighting associated with the holy lands in the Middle East.

Netanyahu said Palestinians and other Arabs only took an interest in the land now occupied by Israel after the "Jewish reconstruction" of the 20th century.

"In our case, our deed to the land goes way back and it's written in a very good book," he said, drawing laughter for his reference to the Bible.

Hagee, whose television ministry is known throughout the country, introduced Netanyahu amid a celebratory atmosphere that included a mix of traditional Jewish music and the gospel chorus that is the more familiar trademark of the Cornerstone Church.

Hagee called Netanyahu "the authentic and clear voice of the people of Israel" and spoke harshly of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

Hagee said that Secretary of State Colin Powell and other U.S. leaders would be committing "moral hypocrisy" if they participate in negotiations to create an independent Palestine.

"If you create a Palestinian state, it will have a terrorist for a leader the equal of Osama bin Laden," he said, referring to the fugitive terrorist suspected in the Sept. 11 attacks.

jscastillo@express-news.net

11/05/2001