Israelis have hailed the West German Bundstag’s vote abolishing the statute of limitations for prosecuting Nazi war criminals and have sent cables of appreciation to German officials and Germany’s Ambassador to Israel, Klaus Schuetz.
Premier Menachem Begin personally expressed his satisfaction today to visiting West Berlin Mayor Dietrich Stobbe. Begin urged West Germany to pursue the prosecution of war criminals. At the same time, the Premier protested to Stobbe over the recent statement by the foreign ministers of the European Economic Community criticizing Israel’s settlement policy.
Justice Minister Shmuel Tamir expressed his satisfaction yesterday with the vote. Tamir, who interrupted the Knesset session Tuesday to announce the vote, said he hoped that now Nazi criminals still free would be brought to trial. Labor Party chairman Shimon Peres sent a cable of congratulations to his opposite number in Germany, Willy Brandt, chairman of the Social Democratic Party, expressing his appreciation for the decision.
Likud MK Yosef Tamir, chairman of the Israel-Germany Association, sent cables of congratulations to German leaders as well as West German Ambassador Schuetz. Tamir expressed the hope the decision would improve relations between Germany and Israel.
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