American Jewish leaders today condemned the brutal murder and kidnapping of members of the Israeli athletic delegation and called on the governments of the world “to ostracize the forces behind this latest act of Arab terrorism.”
Charlotte Jacobson, chairman of the American section of the World Zionist Organization, said, “The tragic killing of two members of the Israeli Olympic team by two Arab guerrillas, and the holding of 10 others as hostages, highlights the need for international action to halt this continuing terrorism. It is all the proof that is necessary…that it is sheer hypocrisy for nations to refuse to vote international sanctions by the world’s airlines against nations who refuse to turn over air hijackers for prosecution.”
Philip E. Hoffman, president of the American Jewish Committee, commented that “It is ironic indeed that the attack on Israeli athletes occurred at an event that for thousands of years has symbolized man’s striving for personal excellence and universal peace.” He urged all governments to act in concert “to make such lawlessness subject to the most severe international sanctions.”
At a demonstration held here this afternoon, Rabbi Arthur Hertzberg, president of the American Jewish Congress, declared, “The insanely brutal acts of Arab terrorists today–like the massacres last May at Lod Airport–are abominations which mankind can no longer tolerate.” He urged West Germany to evict from its soil “terrorist groups and individuals.”
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