The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations attacked the “one-sided action” of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in condemning Israel for intercepting a Lebanese airliner Aug. 10. Rabbi Israel Miller, acting chairman of the Presidents Conference noted Thursday that the ICAO made no mention of far more serious interceptions and hijackings by Algeria, Syria and Libya dating back to 1968.”
But Rabbi Miller, who is also president of the American Zionist Federation, noted that the ICAO must now act to “prevent further aerial hijackings, attacks on airport and murder of airline passenger.” If the ICAO truly means to end air terrorism, Arab obstructions of such efforts must cease,” he declared.
Rabbi Miller urged “an effective and binding treaty” which would require ICAO members to either prosecute hijackers or extradite them. He said “all governments which give safe haven and military and financial support to avowed terrorists must end such assistance at once.” If a country helps terrorists it must “be cut off from aerial communications with the rest of the world.”
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