Israeli action

Press, 12 August 1989, Page 22

Israeli action

Sir, —Your editorial “Middle East hostage crisis” (August 7), appears to dislike any action against terrorism. You say “international action must be the way to get the hostages out.” This is mealy-mouthed platitudinising. The West has failed in the fight against terrorism. Violence and blackmail in Lebanon have driven foreigners and journalists from that strife-torn country, leaving hostages and kidnapped persons to their fate. Even the U.N. was impotent when it came to doing anything for its own representative, Colonel Higgins. Only Israel, sadly an experienced sufferer from Arab and Muslim terrorism, has the strength of will to resist it. The pro-Iranian terrorist groups in Lebanon have abducted more than 25 hostages during the last three and a half years. Some hostages have been murdered because they simply could not resist the opportunity they had of killing an “enemy.” From the hostages’ point of view, the horror began when they were first captured and has continued while the world has done nothing about their release. Israel did not expect any acclaim when she apprehended Sheikh Obeid. Unfortunately, any struggle against terrorism takes huge risks which also involve Israeli lives. However, any alternative would grant the terrorists an easy victory and be responsible for more innocent victims. — Yours, etc., ZE’EV LURIA, Second Secretary, Embassy of Israel. August 9, 1989.

[The sufferings of Israel from terrorism are acknowledged and were not denied in the editorial. The world-wide approval of Israel’s rescue of hostages from Entebbe was noted. The editorial criticised the action of the Israeli Government in kidnapping Sheikh Oheid, which seemed to put at risk the lives of American and European hostages as well as Israeli prisoners. — Editor.]