The Puerto Rican survivors of the airport massacre decided, after meeting at their hotel last night, to continue their tour of Israel as planned. Moreover, a second group of pilgrims due to fly here from Rome on Sunday have decided to proceed as originally planned. The leader of the group, the Reverend Avner Munios, told reporters today that one of the factors guiding them in their decision to stay was that they did not want to abandon their fellow pilgrims who had been wounded.
Meanwhile, the Israel government has instructed the head of the Israel Ministry of Tourism in New York. Amram Zur, to fly to Puerto Rico in order to convey Israel’s condolences to the families of the dead. If the relatives wish the bodies to be returned to Puerto Rico for burial, the Ministry of Tourism said it will arrange for coffins to be prepared and will bear the cost of their transport. However, if a family decides to have the deceased buried in Israel, the Ministry will bear the expenses of the burial.
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