Wjcongress Leaders: Civilized World Must Act to Stop Terror, Assure Arab-israeli Peace

Leaders of the Canadian and World Jewish Congress, gathering here today for the opening of the Canadian Jewish Congress, expressed grief and horror at the slaughter of the eight children and four adults and the wounding of 21 other passengers, mostly children in an Arab ambush of an Israeli school bus. Dr. Nahum Goldmann, president of the World Jewish Congress, termed the incident terrible. He told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, “There are no words to describe this senseless murder. I do not know what to say when the Israeli government has not called upon the (UN) Security Council to take action.” Dr. Goldmann declared, referring to the fact that Israel has not asked for an emergency meeting of the Council. Monroe Abbey, president of the Canadian Jewish Congress, described the attack as horrifying. “There is no excuse for the attack on innocent children,” he said. “We should use all our resources to bring to the attention of the civilized world the enormity of this brutal act in order that a halt should be called to such horrible deeds.”

Samuel Bronfman, honorary chairman of the Canadian Jewish Congress and vice-president of the World Jewish Congress, declared: “It was deliberate murder and the worst kind of atrocity. The governments of the world, including Russia, should take steps and fulfill their obligations in order to assure peace for Israelis and Arabs.” Charles M. Drury, the representative of the federal government of Canada, president of the Treasury and MP for Westmount (Montreal), said it was shocking. “We should like to see the government take up where the voice of public opinion fails. I don’t see any easy way to stop such senseless murders but I hope the civilized world will.” Dr. Victor Goldbloom. Associate Minister of Education in Quebec, said: “It is the worst of world tragedies. I think it is incumbent on the world community to redouble its efforts to avoid the repetition of such dastardly murders and find a solution for the peaceful co-existence between neighbors. It is absolutely imperative that women and children not be involved in acts of war.”