Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Yosef Tekoah told the Labor Zionist Alliance last night that Israel is in a struggle with the Arab states for the right of the Jewish people to live without the threat of aggression. Addressing the 60th charter anniversary banquet of the LZA. Tekoah noted that the government of Israel expressed its deepest sorrow over the shooting down of the Libyan plane and that it was a great tragedy.
But he stressed that no one had the right to refer to the tragedy unless he bears in mind the background in which it took place, such as the possibility and reports of Arab terrorists hijacking planes and crashing them into Israel’s cities. When they comment on the plane incident, “let them bear in mind our right to live,” he said.
The Ambassador also indicated that Israel was ready at any time to reach an understanding with the Arabs “whether it is an overall nature or a partial character.” He added: “Let us begin to create a climate of better understanding.”
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