Jewish Congress Condemns Iraqi Detention of Three Israelis

The World Jewish Congress today condemned the Iraqi Government’s illegal detention of three Israeli citizens as a “flagrant violation of the accepted international practice of civilized nations and an affront to the conscience of the international community.”

The charge was made by Dr. Maurice L. Perlzweig, director of the Congress’ International Affairs Department at a conference at the Beekman Tower Hotel. The three Israelis have been held in Iraqi prisons without charge and without trial during the past three months.

“Every effort has been made, so far without success,” Dr. Perlzweig said, “to persuade the Iraqi authorities to release these innocent victims of an unhappy accident. Formal or informal interventions have been made by the United Nations, the International Red Cross, the American, British and Dutch Governments, and other authorities. All have been in vain.”