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Two Israeli Youths Slain in Mystery Tanzania Incident

June 28, 1972
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Two Israeli youths killed by police in Dar Ea Salaam, Tanzania, Saturday, were identified yesterday as members of Kibbutz Beth Oren on Mt, Carmel near Haifa, They were identified as Hill el Ben Haim and Eitan Dekel, both 23, who had been on a tour of Africa.

A Tanzanian government statement Saturday said the men were shot when they entered a restricted zone on the outskirts of Dar Es Salaam and ignored police orders to halt. Shlomo Armon, the Israeli Ambassador to Tanzania, was given the passports of the two Israelis and was invited to visit the restricted zone where they were killed, it was reported here. Arrangements were reportedly being made to return their bodies and personal effects to Israel.

Kibbutz Ben Oren went into mourning today when the identities of the young men were disclosed. They had been a source of concern in their home village since leaving on their African tour early this month. The only word received from them was a letter mailed from Kenya which announced their plans to rent a car and visit Tanzania. According to their passports, the youths entered Tanzania on June 14. Foreign Ministry sources would not say whether Israel planned to take any further action on the matter.

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