Eban Bars Any Israel Role in Multi-nation Pact for Hostage Release

Foreign Minister Abba Eban ruled out yesterday any Israeli participation in an international deal with Arab terrorists for the release of 55 hijacked airline passengers and crewmen held captive by them in Jordan. Addressing a special session of the Knesset, Mr. Eban made it clear that Israel considered it was making a sufficient contribution to the safety of the hostages by accepting decisions by Britain, West Germany and Switzerland to submit to terrorist demands for the release of seven Arab terrorists in their custody. “The sole aim of these seven thugs is an assault on the lives of Israelis.” Mr. Eban declared. “If the three governments involved are prepared to consider, out of dire distress, purchasing the liberation of all the hijacked persons by these releases, it must under no circumstances be claimed that the contribution is in any other coin than that of the safety of Israelis,” he said. Mr. Eban’s remarks represented the government’s first formal and full statement of Israel’s attitude toward efforts being made to secure the hostages’ release. It was seen as a total rejection of demands made by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in Beirut yesterday that Israel agree in principle to free Arab terrorists in its custody before any agreement is made. The PFLP spokesman said that only after Israel agreed would it make known the number and names of the prisoners it wants freed. The PFLP also demanded separate negotiations with each of the European governments for release of their nationals among the hostages.

The Foreign Minister’s statement was also seen as a stiffening of his government’s stand under increasing pressure from the Western powers to make some sort of concession for the release of the hostages. Mr. Eban however left the door open for Israel, on its own initiative, to make an “humanitarian gesture” at such time as the hostages are released. Israel voluntarily freed a number of Arab prisoners in 1968 and early this year after Israeli hostages were released by Algeria and Syria. Another factor in Israel’s refusal to be a party to any deal is the chaotic situation in Jordan where the hostages are being held. Should the Jordanian government fall or full-scale civil war break out between King Hussein’s regime and the Palestinian guerrillas, it is highly doubtful that any final arrangement would be honored, observers here said. Mr. Eban noted that International Red Cross efforts to negotiate the release of the hostages have been ineffective. He said the British government was working on a solution. (Reports from London today said that Britain, Switzerland and West Germany were growing increasingly impatient with Israel and are pressuring Israel for an immediate, clear statement of policy on the hostages. A British Foreign Office official was quoted as saying that “the longer the Israelis refuse to say anything, whether yes or no, the greater the danger is for our people held hostage.”)

(It was reported from Geneva last night that the International Red Cross has decided to send a new team to Amman to resume negotiations with the commandos. The PFLP accused the Red Cross yesterday of trying to “gain time for the benefit of the imperialist countries” in its negotiations last week. The Red Cross withdrew from negotiations on Sunday and talks have been stalled since then. The IRC was negotiating on behalf of the United States, Britain, West Germany and Switzerland, though not, apparently for Israel. The latter country however has been participating in five power consultations in Berne, Switzerland on means to secure the hostages’ release.) Foreign Minister Eban gave the Israel Government’s first official breakdown of the hostages by nationality and religion. He said 55 were still being held, including 32 Americans of whom 20 are Jews. Two of the Americans, he said, are residents of the United States but hold Israeli passports as well as American. He said the other hostages include eight Britons, six Swiss, two West Germans and one person from the Netherlands. The nationalities of the remaining six hostages have not been reported, he said.