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Eban Hints No Punitive Action for Lydda Massacre

June 19, 1972
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Foreign Minister Abba Eban of Israel called on Lebanese authorities last night to eject Palestinian guerrillas from their territory and said that international aviation communities should take “preventive action” against a possible repetition of the May 30 Lydda Airport massacre.

But the visiting Israeli diplomat hinted that his country did not plan retaliatory action. “It is not the dogmatic policy of Israel to carry out punitive expeditions for each atrocity.” he said at a press conference here.

(According to a report from Tel Aviv, thousands of Arab terrorists who fled from their bases in Lebanon in fear of Israeli retaliation for the Lydda massacre, are now returning. Israeli sources said there were some 6000 terrorists concentrated in Lebanon but immediately after the Lydda attack they dispersed to various towns and villages.)

Eban concluded a two-day official visit by signing a cultural agreement. He also held political talks with K.B. Andersen, the Danish Foreign Minister. Eban said there had been no new approach from the Soviet Union for a renewal of diplomatic relations with Israel.

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