An Iraqi commando has tried to kidnap French Senate President Alain Poher who is known for his close ties with Israel. French police sources confirmed a report in today’s “L’Aurore” saying that special security precautions had been taken to protect Poher. The police sources refused to elaborate but said that one of the would-be kidnappers has been identified as a young Iraqi student. A wanted notice has been circulated to all police forces and border guards, the sources said.
“L’Aurore” said that the Iraqis had planned to kidnap the Senate President in retaliation for his activities on behalf of Iraqi Jews. Poher is president of the World Conference of Jews in Arab Lands. The paper said that special guards have been posted since last Saturday around Poher’s private home as well as at his official residence “the small Luxemburg Palace” which is usually guarded by only one policeman.
More than 18,000 portions of blood were collected from Israelis by Magen David Adom during the first 8 days of war. Tens of thousands of would-be donors were asked to donate blood at a later date, in order to ensure, a continuous supply of fresh blood.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
