The Canada Israel Committee has sent a telegram to the Canadian Airline Pilots Association (CALPA) expressing surprise at the association’s call for “Canadian sanctions against Israel’s commercial aircraft unless Israel gives assurances that it will never again participate in or condone acts of interference with civil aviation.”
Adam Pollack, president of the CIC, added in the telegram to John Wright, president of CALPA, that he was certain the pilots’ group “has taken cognizance of Israel’s constant efforts to curb air terrorism in contrast to the Arab governments’ continued destruction of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and United Nations efforts to eradicate terrorism.” Pollack said the interception on Aug. 10 of a Lebanese plane, “though contrary to accepted aviation codes and agreements, was carried out with the safety of civil aviation in mind.”
Pollack added that Israel’s action was “undoubtedly motivated by the failure of ICAO and the international community to take effective steps to combat terror in the skies.” He said Wright’s telegram to External Affairs Minister Mitchell Sharp” does a disservice to a country whose declared position and interest in this matter is parallel to those of your organization, namely, the eradication of crimes in the air through effective and enforceable measures.”
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