Harold Jacobs, president of the National Council of Young Israel, yesterday called on the government of Israel to release the members of the Jewish terrorist underground, some who have already been convicted of violent attacks against West Bank Arabs.
Jacobs, in addressing delegates attending the plenary session of the Young Israel Convention here, made the plea while noting that Israel has released hundreds of Palestinian terrorists, many convicted of anti-Jewish violence in the administered territories, in the prisoner exchange last month for three Israeli soldiers held by a Palestinian terrorist group.
“When hundreds of convicted terrorists and murderers are freed to walk the streets of Israel again, those brave Jews who have taken up arms to defend their homes and families from attack must certainly be let free, ” Jacobs said. “It is time for the Israeli government to release all those settlers who have been arrested for so-called terrorist activity, regardless of their legal guilt or innocence.”
ISRAEL SUPPORTED ON HIJACKING ACTION
At its final plenary session today, the convention passed a resolution urging the Israeli government “to release all Jewish settlers convicted or accused of retaliatory acts against Arab targets.” The resolution was approved by a three to two margin by the 250 delegates.
Also approved by the delegates was a resolution expressing unqualified support for whatever actions deemed necessary by the Israeli government to secure the release of the passengers aboard the hijacked TWA aircraft, and to combat international terrorism.
The resolution also urged the U.S . to use all means at its disposal to protect and rescue those airline passengers who are its citizens and under its protection. The resolution also urged the U.S. to take the “most stringent possible measures” against the Shiite hijackers and against all groups and governments which aid terrorism.
BACKS SETTLERS
Jacobs also said last night that Judaea, Samaria and the Golan Heights “are no longer just areas on a map, desolate and populated solely by Arabs. Today these are vibrant Jewish communities containing the homes of tens of thousands of Israel’s finest and most dedicated men, women and children.”
“Just as we refuse to abandon a Young Israel community in the Bronx or Crown Heights, so too will we stand by the Young Israel communities in Chispin, Kiryat Arba, and particularly in the Old City of Jerusalem, which we will never give up again,” he said.
“The State of Israel cannot afford to betray its most committed, most idealistic and most capable citizens or to trade away for empty promises or temporary advantage its long term security and its best hope for the future,” Jacobs asserted.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
