Israel May Hold Its 300 Pflp Prisoners Hostages; Two Algerians to Be Released Soon

The cabinet met in extraordinary session today to discuss the problem of the hijacked planes and their passengers. A communique issued after the meeting reiterated Israel’s demand for “the immediate release of all hijack victims without exception.” Israeli authorities are obviously concerned that Israeli passengers will continue to be held as hostages after passengers of other nationalities are freed. A Foreign Ministry spokesman told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency today that Israel has received no demands whatsoever from the hijackers so far, either directly or indirectly. The guerrillas have demanded that Britain. West Germany and Switzerland release seven Arab guerrillas in their custody in exchange for their nationals. Israel holds about 2500 guerrillas in its jails and also detains two high ranking Algerian nationals removed from a British airliner last month. There was no official word as to how the government intended to deal with terrorist demands for their release. Israel has insisted all along that it would never accede to Arab blackmail. There were reports today that 300 jailed members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the terrorist group responsible for the hijackings, would be declared hostages for the hijacked airline passengers in Jordan. Sources here said Israel might inform PFLP leader George Habash through certain channels that his actions would determine their fate.

Israel is also expected to announce shortly the release of the two Algerians to preclude possible reproaches that it was jeopardizing the release of the hostages in Jordan. Both Algerians are alleged to be senior officers in the secret service of a country that has proclaimed itself at war with Israel. Israeli officials claim that, therefore, they had the right under the Geneva Convention to detain the men and interrogate them. A Foreign Ministry spokesman denied reports that Israel has sent food and medicine to the hostages in Jordan. He said in that respect Israel relied fully on the International Red Cross. Premier Golda Meir, addressing a meeting of working women today, complained about the world’s attitude. “Much ado is being made now, but in the case of previous hijackings, when only Israeli passengers were held captive, the world seemed indifferent,” she said. Mrs. Meir referred to two Israeli nationals held captive by Syria for three months after their TWA airliner was hijacked to Damascus a year ago. The victims of the most recent hijackings number 300.

Reports that Britain, Switzerland and West Germany have agreed to release seven Palestinian terrorists in their custody in exchange for their hijacked nationals were the apparent cause of bomb threats received at the British and West German embassies yesterday. A bomb threat was phoned to the Swiss Embassy earlier in the week. All turned out to be false alarms. Police tended to attribute the threats to young pranksters. They are taking more seriously threatening letters received by several foreign legations, signed by followers of “Etzel.” “Etzel,” or Irgun Zvai Leumi, was a Jewish terrorist organ- ization of the pre-State era that fought both the British Mandate authorities and the established authorities of the Palestine Jewish community whom it considered insufficiently militant. The group, led by Menachem Beigin, now leader of the Herut party, was disbanded shortly after Israel’s independence. The letters sent in the name of “Etzel” threatened to bomb the aircraft of any nation that “yields to the black-mail of terrorists by freeing terrorists.” The letters warned that “no one will be safe in the air if we are not safe. The Chief Rabbinate called for special prayers to be recited for all of the hostages at morning and evening services. Israelis and Jews all over the world were asked to recite Chapter 142 in the Book of Psalms.