Major Canadian Jewish Groups Charge French Arms Sale is Opportunism

The Presidents of the Federated Zionist Organizations of Canada and Canadian Jewish Congress declared yesterday that the French government’s arms agreement with Libya “is a calculated act of political opportunism. The sale in such massive quantities of sophisticated aircraft to a nation which has openly declared herself at war with Israel adds a new dimension to the tragic arms race and undermines the prospects for a peaceful settlement of the Middle East conflict.” The statement by the organizations added that the Jewish community of Canada condemns this action by the French government. It makes an urgent call to its fellow Canadians to protest an intervention in the Middle East which must be regarded as dangerous and obstructing a peaceful solution.” The group also sent a telegram to Pierre Siraud, Ambassador of France to Canada, stating “the reputation of France as a nation dedicated to equality, liberty and fraternity is being destroyed by your government’s announced sale of arms to Libya. Canadian Jewry requests you to convey to your government deepest concern for an act which can only be described as obstructing a peaceful solution to the Middle East conflict.”