More Churchmen Condemn Lydda Airport Massacre Workmen’s Circle Asks Us Sue Lebanon for Victims

Another group of Christian church leaders has joined in the worldwide condemnation of the May 30 attack on Lydda Airport, declaring that “this kind of violence and killing of innocent people must end” and that “the freedom of international travel must be preserved and protected.” The statement by four church leaders, issued through the New Jersey Council of Churches, said, “this barbaric assault which took the lives of 25 persons, including 16 Puerto Rican pilgrims to the Holy Land, and seriously wounded scores of others, is an outrage to the conscience of all humanity.”

The church leaders added “we condemn the perpetrators of this heinous act and those Arab governments which harbor, support and encourage the barbaric activities of terrorist groups. Responsibility for this massacre must also be borne by the governments and airlines for their failure to provide adequate security and protection for all travelers.” They urged the US Government and the United Nations “to put an end to such horrendous acts.”

US GOVT. STEPS URGED

Meanwhile, the National Council of Jewish Women’s executive committee, declared, in a statement that it was “shocked and outraged by the wholesale murders in Israel and attempted assassination in the United States.” The NCJW called on the US Government to take immediate and specific steps to “break through the climate of intensifying violence spreading over the national and international scene.”

The Workmen’s Circle said it had sent an appeal to President Nixon urging the US to sue Lebanon before the World Court at The Hague “for the massacre of American citizens at Lydda Airport and to have the court declare Lebanon guilty of abetting international criminal acts because it permits guerrilla activities on its territory.”