Allon Warns Iraq That Israel’s Restraint Should Not Be Seen As Sign of Weakness

Deputy Prime Minister Yigal Allon warned Iraq today that Israel’s restraint in the aftermath of the hanging of nine Jews in that country last week should not be interpreted as a sign of weakness or that Jewish blood was free to be spilled. Mr. Allon spoke at a memorial service in Ramat Gan for the executed Jews, one of several such services held in various parts of Israel. He said that Israel’s main concern now was to prevent further executions and to save the remnants of Iraqi Jewry. He warned, however, that Israel “will not sit back in the face of maltreatment and persecution of Jews wherever they are.” He said the nation’s restraint from military reprisals against Iraq was “proof of Israel’s political maturity.” The Ramat Gan services were attended by thousands of former Iraqi Jews who make their home in the Tel Aviv suburb and in near by immigrant townships. Many wore black ribbons or black arm bands and carried black flags.

A joint Arab-Jewish memorial service for the hanged Iraqis was held in Nazareth today under the auspices of the World Jewish Congress. It was addressed by Saif Addin Suabi, an Arab member of the Knesset (Parliament) and Archbishop Raya, head of the Catholic church in Israel. Memorial meetings were also held in the new immigrant town of Hatzor in Upper Galilee.