Approximately 300 people participated several days ago in a Christian service in memory of the 11 Israeli athletes murdered in Munich. The service was conducted on the campus of Seton Hall University. Rev. Paul L. Stagg, General Secretary of the New Jersey Council of Churches, in a keynote address, paid respect to the victims of “this mad terror,” expressed solidarity with Jewish people “who have been subjected in our time within the memories of many to genocidal attack,” and protested the concerted effort which jeopardizes the existence, integrity, and aspirations of Jewish people to develop their own life and genius.
Rev. Stagg said that the act of terror at the Olympics “is not an isolated act. It is part of a calculated continuing attempt threatening the very existence of Israel.” He urged the assembly to “act resolutely and to press our government, the President, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary General of the United Nations to bring every resource to bear on those Arab states which harbor and encourage terrorists.”
Msgr. John M. Oesterreicher, Director of the Institute of Judaeo-Christian Studies at Seton Hall University, decried the action at Munich and urged the audience to “demand, again and again, through newspapers, Congressmen, Senators, the administration in Washington, even Pope Paul in Rome, that the Arab governments that have been in a state of war with Israel enter into negotiations.” Msgr. Oesterreicher also suggested to the audience “that you plant a tree or two In Israel, in memory of the 11 slain athletes.”
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
