Hijacking—dilemma for authority

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33062, 1 November 1972, Page 16

Hijacking—dilemma for authority

The West German Government has twice this year had to make the agonising decision whether to give in to the demands of Arab terrorists. The raid on the Olympic village and the abduction of 11 Israeli hostages culminated in the tragic failure of the attempt to rescue the Israelis at the airport The concern felt by Chancellor Brandt and his Government for these hostages reflects the desire of the Germans of this generation to atone for the persecution of Jews in Hitler’s Germany. But good intentions are a poor defence against the stratagems of desperate fanatics. When, this week, a Lufthansa aircraft was hijacked by two Arabs, the German Government allowed its concern for the 11 other passengers and seven crew members to override all other considerations. The three survivors of the Arab commando team who had been imprisoned in Munich were promptly released to ensure the safety of the Lufthansa hostages.

The West German Government has already been sharply criticised by Israeli officials; other Governments can be expected to express their disappointment, discreetly but firmly. Many will think the criminals’ bluff should have been called; but this is a dreadfully difficult decision for any Government to make. Aerial hijacking will be stopped only when the Governments of all countries are prepared to outlaw the practice. They must do so by refusing to harbour criminals—even their own nationals—or to allow hijackers to succeed in their purposes. International pressure will have to be exerted on countries unwilling to subscribe to such a code; and this will take time to bring results. In the meantime it is obvious that security precautions at airports and on aircraft will have to be strengthened. While the lives of passengers on international flights are put at constant risk there can be no confidence in the future of international air travel.