Eban: Israel Has ‘apprehension’ Bordering on Certainty’ That 10 Jews in Iraq Have Died in Prison

Foreign Minister Abba Eban said today that Israel had “apprehensions bordering on certainty” that ten Jews imprisoned in Iraq have died in prison. Eban said that Israel’s apprehensions stemmed from reports from various sources and were increased by events similar to those which preceded the show trials and public hangings of nine Jews in Iraq in 1969.

The Foreign Minister made his remarks in the Knesset in reply to a question from MK Yitzhak Navon. He said “The confiscation of the property of those arrested–similar to the steps taken in 1969–and the methodical prevarication of the Iraqi authorities in imparting details concerning the fate and whereabouts of the detainees, enhance our apprehensions almost to the point of certainty” that the prisoners are dead.

Eban noted that international efforts on behalf of the detainees began last Oct. when news of their arrests first surfaced. He said “appeals have been made by governments–among them some which do not maintain relations with Israel but consented to act on humanitarian grounds.” Eban said that statements issued by the Iraqi Embassies in Paris and Rome when pressed for information were “nebulous and evasive.”

IF THE 10 ARE ALIVE, LET THEM BE SEEN

The statements denied that any Jews had been detained on political or religious grounds or that the detainees had been put to death in prison. “Only if the Iraqi authorities enable authoritative organizations or persons to see the 10 detainees alive will proof be furnished that they are alive,” Eban declared.

He listed the names of the Jewish prisoners as: Abdul Azzis Jacob; Shaul Rejoun; Jacob ReJouan; Ezra Hazem; Shaul Shemesh; Victor Eza David; Azouri Shemesh; Naji Zitiat; Salim Zedaka; and Ezra Shemtov. Eban said that international efforts were continuing to seek the exodus of “the tiny remnant” of Iraq’s Jewry and the Jews in other Arab countries.

Shmuel Divon, director of the Arab and Soviet Jewries section of the Foreign Ministry, told the Zionist General Council meeting here last night that three Jews were still imprisoned in Syria, including Albert Elia, the secretary of the Beirut Jewish community who was kidnapped from Lebanon over a year ago. Divon said efforts on behalf of Jews in Arab countries bore some fruit in Egypt where 88 Jews were released from prison and thousands allowed to leave the country. He said the remaining Jews in Egypt were not persecuted.