Silent World `as Low as Iraqis Are,' Israeli Press Cries Out
A meeting was held Tuesday
have been held in house arrest
The Guardian said the temptation with Iraqi courts, particularly mili- since June 1967, have been subject- evening of the various Zionist or-
(Continued from Page 1)
for
vengeance
must
be
strong
in
tary
tribunals,
convinced
him
that
ganizations
and the Jewish Com-
ed to close surveillance and have
The remainder of the Jewish
Israel and added that if Israel did the charges brought against the been absolutely limited in move- munity Council of Montreal.
c ommunity, numbering about 3,000,
Z"
strike, Iraq would pay the price of accused were "false from A to
ment and communication. The fact
In Rome, Pope Paul said the
has been held under house arrest
a prelude to more executions,
ith their telephones cut off and having a reckless, barbarian gov- and
probably of political opponents to that it was clearly impossible for hangings smack of racism. He told
ernment.
their bank accounts blocked. Hillel
Jews in Iraq to have engaged in a weekly general audience that the
Amnesty International, a private the regime of Al-Bakr.
said this fact alone made the
the alleged subversive plot has in executions of nine Jews can en-
News of the hangings was broad- no way deterred the savagery and gender suspicion that racist mo-
charges of espionage against them organization that intervents on be-
absurd. He voiced belief that the half of the rights of political pris- cast by Baghdad radio against a barbarism of the blood-thirsty tives were not extraneous to this
background of cheering and clap-
episode.
s .y trials were arranged by the oners said Tuesday that the out-
court."
Iraqi regime, which took power in come of the Baghdad trial was pre- ping by throngs who poured into
Dr. Emanuel Neumann, chair-
In London, Jewish businessman
a coup last July, in order to get determined. The evidence of the Baghdad's Liberation Square to man of the Jewish Agency-Amer- Issy Rondel was stabbed in the
id of its political opponents. The prosecution was based on the dec- view 11 bodies swinging from scaf- ican Section, urged in a telegram stomach by a member of the Iraqi
Jews were apparently used to larations of two self-confessed spies folds. Three other executions were to President Nixon that Washing- embassy during a -scuffle after he
make charges of a Zionist-imperi- that would have been inadmissible carried out in the Persian Gulf ton intervene through diplomatic planted two Israeli flags on the
:list conspiracy more credible to in any court conducted in accord- oil port of Basra, reputed center channels to forestall further "polit- embassy's roof.
the Iraqi people. ance with the accepted standards of the alleged spy plot. The Jewish ical assassinations." He said, "If
The incident took place during a
victims were identified as Izra Iraq wants to be `Judenrein,' it
Hillel said that some of the of justice, the organization said.
hanged men had relatives in Is- In Jerusalem, Prime Minister Naji Zilkha, a Baghdad merchant should permit its Jews to leave demonstration as 5,000 persons
rael. According to a relative, one Levi Eshkol, shaking with anger, and alleged leader of the spy ring, peacefully for Israel and other cheered his climb to the roof. He
victim left three children and a Monday appeared before a grim Albert Habib Tomac, Fual Gabbu, lands. Only thus can Iraq preserve was hospitalized and was not in
pregnant wife with no one to look Parliament to denounce the pre- Jamal Hakim, Daoud Baruch, whatever it may still possess of serious condition.
Onlookers heard shots ring out
after them. Another left an aged dawn hanging as "genocide" that Daoud Ghali, Albert Aleh and humanity and decency."
as Iraqis dragged the flags down.
mother. He said there was no will be stopped by Israel if it is Sabah Ayoub. The name of the
Editorials in two of America's
ninth
was
not
reported.
Participants
in the rally included
possibility of help from the local not halted from outside.
leading newspapers, The New
Among those arrested were an York Times and Washington Post,
Chief Rabbi Jakobovits and Dr.
Eshkol, whose face reflected the
community because the Jews
Gaon.
cannot leave their homes and rage felt by Israelis when they American couple, Mr. and Mrs. Wednesday warned against a
Members of parliament, headed
cannot communicate with each learned of the hangings, quoted Paul Bail, who were being held threat of renewed Mid East war-
without
charges.
Bail
is
an
em-
Scripture
in
what
some
interpreted
fare stemming from the Iraqi by Sir Barnett Janner, placed a
other.
motion before the House of Com-
Hillel said the situation of Jews as a threat of reprisal against ploye of a petroleum company.
trials and executions.
mons expressing shock at the
Although the spy trials had been
in Egypt was also perilous. There Iraq.
Pointing out that the United
"Oh, daughter of Babylon, that
cruelty and calling upon the British
are about 2,000 left in that country
widely publicized, it was generally
States has urged Israel not to
art to be destroyed, happy shall
government
to take immediate
believed that the prosecutor had
of whom 250 are in jail. He said
retaliate for this brutal act, the
he be that repayeth thee as thou
steps through the UN and other
demanded death sentences for only
there are between 4,000 and 5,000
Times said "even more impor-
hast
served
us.
The
Lord
shall
channels
to
safeguard
the remain-
Jews in Syria. He added there was
four Jews.
tant ... Iraq's friends and arms
avenge their blood," Eshkol said.
ing Jews in Iraq and other Arab
nothing Israel could do to alleviate
Baghdad Radio said that further
suppliers — the Soviet Union,
He
declared
further,
"Between
countries.
their plight but rely on world opin-
trials on similar charges would be
France and other Arab states
the design of genocide and its
ion. Hillel didn't think there was
A group of pro-Arab members of
should condemn this atrocity and
held.
perpetration, there stands the
any connection between the hang-
Commons organized by Laborite
use
all
of
their
influence
to
Unconfirmed reports said that
State of Israel alone—Israel and
ings and Israel's raid on Iraqi
Will Griffith, dismayed by the
discourage
any
repetition."
the
number
of
accused
waiting
its strength." The scriptural
troop concentrations in Jordan last
In a similar vein, the Post, as- executions, sent a protest cable to
reference was appropriate since trial was more than 60. The 14
month. He said the Jews were ar-
executed were said by Baghdad to serting that "the Israeli govern- Iraq President Ahmed Hassan Al-
Iraq is located on the site of
rested in Baghdad before the raid
ment
is weak . . . and is under Bakr. Griffith said he will make
have
been
part
of
a
group
of
19
Babylon, an enemy of Israel in
and their trials and sentences were
sentenced, two of whom were still tremendous pressure for reprisals representations to save other pris-
ancient times. (Reports from
the result of Iraq's internal diffi-
against
Arab provocations of any oners. "I am aghast at what hap-
at large. A later report from Bagh-
Baghdad said that Iraq has
culties for which the Jews were
dad put the figure at 21 with three sort." It said that Israel would pened. It has done immense harm
placed
its
armed
forces
on
the
made scapegoats.
not be justified in retaliating for to Anglo-Arab relations." he said.
still at large.
alert in anticipation of an Israeli
A spokesman for the Board of
The trials were conducted by a the executions, that "Retaliation
reprisal.)
The public hanging of the 14
for
commando raids or terrorist Deputies, after a deleeation visit
three-man military tribunal. The
Eshkol
said
the
Jews
who
were
Iraqis. nine of them Jews, for al-
accused were alleged to have plot- attacks is one thing. But Israel, with Foreign Secretary Michael
leged espionage, has sent a wave executed were not spies for Israel. ted to overthrow Iraq's Baathist whatever compelling emotional Stewart, said the official voiced
of revulsion through most of the "Their only crime was that they regime with the intention of set- outrage may be felt by its citi- sympathy and concern for those
world. The feeling was echoed were Jews." He described the ting up a government that would zens, has no ground for acting still awaiting trial.
Tuesday by Jewish leaders and by hangings as part of a scheme by make peace with Israel. They were against Iraq. All of those executed
Stewart said urgent considera-
the Iraqi government to direct at-
the British press.
tion would be given to a number
charged with receiving training in were Iraqi citizens. Five of them
The Board of Deputies of British tention from its internal troubles. sabotage in the Iranian city of were Arabs. And however unset-
of
suggestions made by the dele-
Jews staged an all-night vigil in "It was a criminal plot," he said, Abadan. Ex-Premier Abdel Rah- tling it may be, the method of
gation but pointed out that Brit-
front of the Iraqi Embassy. Sir "and demands for the 'liberation of man Bazzaz and former Defense trial, sentencing and execution of
ish
intervention could only be
Barnett Janner, chairman of its Palestine' are part and parcel of Minister Abdel Aziz Okeilly alleg- alleged spies in Iraq is Iraq's
informal since the defendants are
foreign affairs committee, said the same design," he said. "The
all Iraqi citizens. Stewart earlier
anything that will help avoid fur- land of Iraq has become one great edly took part in the plot. It was business, however sordid it may
voiced horror at the hangings.
ther murders, anything that can be prison for its Jewish remnant, a not clear whether they were among be," the Post said.
Both newspapers regarded the
the
five
Moslems
executed
or
if
In Geneva, Sean MacBride, of
done by civilized people, govern- gallows for its Jewish citizens."
He said that appeals for mercy they were under sentence of death. public spectacle of the executions Ireland, secretary of the Interna-
ments and the United Nations,
in
Baghdad
and
Basra
as
barbaric.
Last
Dec.
5,
President
Al-Bakr
to the Iraqi leaders from all over
tional Commission of Jurists, said
snouts
The Times commented that it is that the commission was very per-
accused Israel, the U.S. and
Dr. Nahum Goldmann, president the world "failed to muster the
high time the United Nations took turbed over the executions.
"fifth columnists" of fomenting
of the World Jewish Congress, sent necessary determination in this
cognizance of long-standing Israeli
a plot against Iraq. He spoke
Despite the announcement by
a telegram to UN Secretary Gen- matter and in the matter of Jews
pleas for investigation of the mis- Iraqi Information Minister Abdul-
during massive demonstrations
eral U Thant from Paris Tuesday in Arab lands in general. "From
against an Israeli air strike on treatment of Jews in many Arab lah Salum Tuesday that more trials
asking him to intervene to secure this rostrum I demand that the
countries and acted to safeguard
the immediate emigration of the entire world should act ... in order Iraqi troop concentrations in Jor-
would be held soon, the Middle
fundamental human rights.
dan. Shortly afterwards there
East News Agency. an Egyptian
entire Jewish communities of Iraq, to avert further acts of murder,
"Only when the world organi-
were reports of sweeping arrests
organization, reported from Da-
Syria and Egypt which are in mor- to save the families and to protect
zation deals even-handedly with
in Iraq with scores of persons
the Jewish remnant." He said the
mascus that a second mass trial
injustice and violence on both
tal danger.
being jailed and their property
hangings were an example of what
began in Baghdad on Tuesday. Its
Chief Rabbi Immanuel Jacobovits the Arab governments would do to
sides can it hope to play an ef-
confiscated.
defendants, it said, were charged
called on "the conscience of our their native Jews if left to their
fective role in promoting peace
"Genuine concern" was ex-
with having been American Cen-
fellow human beings everywhere to own devices.
between the Arabs and Israelis,"
pressed in the State Department in
tral Intelligence Agency spies. The
ensure that this new sacrifice to
the newspaper commented.
Israeli newspapers echoed de- Washington Monday.
number of Jews, if any, involved
the excesses of man's inhumanity
Protests were registered by the was not reported.
At the UN, U Thant expressed
mands for revenge and chided
will not have been in vain." The
world opinion for not reacting "regret and concern" and was Workmen's Circle, the American
In a cable to the Christian Sci-
Haham Dr. Solomon Gaon, leader
Section
of the World Jewish Con-
when it was learned that Iraqi immediately confronted by the
ence Monitor from Beirut, John K.
of Britain's Sephardic Jewish com-
Jews had been sentenced to Iraqi delegate who told him the gress and Agudath Israel of Amer- Cooley reported that the original
munity, noted that "among mem-
death. Yediot Ahronot wrote, hangings were "an internal af- ica. Wednesday Israel Breslow, Iraqi force of 12,000 stationed in
bers of our congregations there are
"The enlightened world is as low fair." Thant later said he would Workmen's Circle president, sent
some of the immediate relatives of as the Iraqis are. It went out not act because of the internal a telegram to Secretary of State Jordan has been reinforced with
William Rogers, asking that the the "Iraqi army's well-known
the victims and with them we
of its mind when a few planes nature of the crime.
American Jews reacted with out- United States mission to the United 420th Commando Battalion" which
mourn the loss of life, a loss that in Beirut were hit but now it is
rage to the execution. The Jewish Nations appeal to Thant either to is "reported to be a mixed force
in no way contributes to peace in
nowhere to be seen or heard."
of Palestinians and Iraqi regulars
Defense Minister Moshe Dayan Nazi Victims Organization held a go in person to Iraq or to send
the Middle East and in the world."
working closely with El Fatah, the
The Times said in an editorial said Wednesday night that Israel is mass rally and memorial service representatives immediately to
main Palestinian guerrilla group."
Tuesday that the grim news from not planning military reprisals Tuesday attended by over 1,J00 in Iraq to intervene to stop the geno-
Cooley reported new moves
Baghdad contained "a coarse against Iraq because "We must front of the Iraqi Mission to the cide against the Jewish commu- against Western interests, and his
nity.
barbarity that should shock the provide no excuse for the rulers of United States.
The American Section of the cable stated:
Arthur J. Goldberg, American
world." The paper said other Iraq to further harm the surviving
"The Coca Cola Corporation's
WJCongress adopted a resolution
Jewi s h Committee president,
Arab governments must realize Jews."
plant and assets in Iraq were
recording
shock and horror at the
urged
the
United
States
govern-
that their case against Israel was
He told a political gathering,
nationalized and its Iraqi man-
execution.
ment, the UN and all member
weakened by this kind-.of be- "All international factors must be
ager reportedly died or was
The resolution urged such groups
states, together with non-govern-
havior. The Times attributed the mobilized to aid the Jews of Iraq.
killed
in prison. The Jesuit Unir
and
governments
to
call
on
the
mental
agencies,
to
condemn
the
hangings to Iraqi government We should take no action that
versity of Al Hikma in Baghdad,
Iraqi government to cease holding
executions so that "hopefully fur-
fear of an overthrow. "This might endanger the fate of Iraq's
staffed
mainly by Americans,
its Jews as hostages and to remove
ther executions may be avoided."
would indeed be a major bless-
Jewish community.
was closed and its foreign staff
Expressing "horror and grief," all the existing obstacles to their
ing for Iraq and for the whole
"We must keep in mind the danc-
expelled.
Middle East," the editorial said.
ing mob in the market places of the American Jewish Congress emigration.
"Nasser al Hani, a prominent
Despite biting cold and winds,
The Guardian described Presi- Baghad and Basra when we think urged the State Department to
historian
and former ambassador,
use
"every
available
diplomatic
more
than
100
young
boys
and
girls
dent Ahmad Hassan Al-Bakr of about the fate of 2,500,000 Jews sur-
means" to prevent the executions of the Betar demonstrated Tuesday was found dead Nov. 11 after his
Iraq as the most vicious of all rounded by 100,000,000 Arabs."
arrest by Baath Party militia.
of
65
persons
still
to
be
tried
for
in
Montreal's
downtown
Dominion
Israelis were infuriated over the
g rab _rulers "who surpassed even
allegedly spying for Israel.
Square. The youths carried ban- Other politicians and intellectuals
is own villainous record." The public hangings of those convicted
AJCongress president Rabbi Ar- ners in English, French and He- vanished, were killed, or impris-
•aper warned that "the medieval in secret by a military tribunal.
thur Lelyveld in a telegram to brew. They shouted slogans about oned.
oectable in Baghdad can only do A spokesman for Iraqi Jews in Secretary of State William P. kangaroo courts and criminal jus-
"On Nov. 30 and Dec. 5 express
''arm to prospects of a Middle Israel, Shlomo Bechori, a former Rogers said that the executions tice. The Canadian Jewish Con- trains were derailed in Kurdish
lawyer,
said
that
his
experience
astern settlement."
were "all the more monstrous be- gress was summoned to a special country and some of their passen-
gers robbed or killed."
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS cause Iraq's 3,000 to 4,000 Jews meeting Tuesday on the issue.
,
20 Friday, January 31, 1969
—