Jewish Leaders Denounce Massacre

Leaders of major Jewish organizations denounced the massacre today of 18 people in Kiryat Shemona and accused the Arab governments of aiding and abetting that atrocity as they had others in the past.

Rabbi Israel Miller, chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, called the attack a “butchery” which was “a horrifying reminder” of what the Palestine “Liberation” movement stands for. Rabbi Miller added that the people of Israel would not be frightened “by a desperate act in a losing cause.” which will “serve only to strengthen their unity of purpose.” He said also that “rather than inhibit the support which American Jews have given to the Jewish State, it will serve only to intensify our commitment that the people of Israel shall live in security and peace.”

The guilt of the Arab governments in this frightful deed is plain,” he declared. Rabbi Miller said neither Syria nor the other Arab governments “can have their peace and eat it too,” nor escape responsibility “for the brutal massacre to which they have given encouragement by actively supporting the murderers who operate from their territories.”

Mrs. Charlotte Jacobson, chairman of the World Zionist Organization-American Section, declared: “Passive acceptance of Arab terrorism on the part of world opinion has led to yet another outrage against human decency.” Excoriating the self-styled Arab “liberators” who chose women and children as their victims, she called for prompt condemnation of the brutal attack by the governments of the entire civilized world, “who must make it clear that such inhuman acts will no longer be tolerated.” She also called upon the government of Lebanon, which has permitted the terrorists to operate within their borders, to take immediate action to put an end to such outrages or be prepared to accept the responsibility for them. She noted the tragic irony that the attack, perpetrated by a terrorist group commanded by former Syrian army officers, took place just as the Syrian delegation arrived in the United States for the beginning of “peace” talks.

INTERNATIONAL ACTION URGED TO HALT OUTRAGES

Bertram H. Gold, executive vice-president of the American Jewish Committee said this latest outrage “must be viewed in the context of the developing Middle East situation.” He said that “apart from the human tragedy, such action clearly jeopardizes the chances for permanent peace in the area. If the Arab governments and the moderate Palestinians want peace, let us now hear them speak out against this attack and let us hear from the United Nations, which has remained eloquently silent over the years in the face of repeated Arab violations of all the rules of decency and civilized behavior.”

Mrs. Rose Matzkin, president of Hadassah, declared that the “barbarous act” of the terrorists “is an indication of the blind hatred of the Palestinian terrorist group. Fighting a last ditch battle against peace initiatives, these desperate men were not solitary extremists but were trained and disciplined by the Popular Front-General Command bred in Beirut. Their activities are known by the Lebanese and Syrian authorities whom we must charge as accomplices for allowing them to operate and encouraging them.”

Mrs. Faye Schenk, chairman of the Executive of the American Zionist Federation, stated that the massacre “underscores the supine attitude of international bodies toward these venal assassins. As long as these terrorist bands are given safe harbor from which to launch their perfidy, and the world accepts their right to exist, there will be no end to this needless tragedy.”

Rabbi Arthur Hertzberg, president of the American Jewish Congress, stated that the cold-hearted murder “ought to put an end to the grotesque notion that the guilt of Arab terrorists can somehow be mitigated by their alleged idealism. There is no idealism, no political grievance sufficient to explain away the brutality incarnate in throwing helpless children from rooftops. These are unspeakable acts, acts of appalling cowardice. They degrade us all.” He called for “worldwide expressions of revulsion over these atrocities and we demand an international program to prevent and punish terrorism in the future.”

Mrs. Henry Rapaport, president of the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, sent a telegram to the Lebanese Ambassador to the U.S. Najati Kabbani, protesting “the cruel and senseless action of the Arab terrorists. Lebanese countenance of such action can only serve to make more difficult hopes for peace in the Middle East. We urge you to convey to your government our sense of shock and distress in this situation and urge the taking of strongest steps to prevent its recurrence.”

Rabbi Irwin M. Blank, president of the Synagogue Council of America, stated: “Even sensibilities that have become hardened to the habitual murder of civilians by Arab terrorists must be outraged by the new level of brutality and carnage that occurred today. The incredible inhumanity of the Arab terrorists condemns their cause beyond redemption. The revulsion and condemnation it must evoke on the part of decent men transcends all differences of politics, faith and nationality.”