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Omaha, Neb., Fri., June 11,1332
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• More than 2(J9 Jewish communities throughout the United States were connected with a telephone conference call,4h is,week to hear first-hand about the military action In Lebanon. Omaha's Campaign leadership prepared a statement for the Jewish community here after the call. The statement la as follows:
We have received reports that Israel is responding to vicious bombing and rocket attacks that have devastated communities and settlements in the Northern Galilee. Israel needs our help now to begin rebuilding. I Want to Help Israel Now with We urge Omaha Jewry to take action during this most critical time. If you have not yet made your 1982 DMy 1982 Pledge Campaign pledge do so today! If you can increase the gift you have already made please do so now! •An increased contribution We urge you to pay all outstanding pledges immediately. Signature, plaaio print ^ r Bobbie Epstein Maxine Kirshenbaum Ploato make chock* payable to Jewish Federation Marshall Kushner South 132nd Street, Omaha, NE 68154 1982 Federation Campaign Chairmen
Pledge Card
Keillor's Volt: 'HirCoiiMilalr (irniTalol Isr.ic-I in( likaflolias providrd the .IrwUli I'rrss uitli a <t(alrmcn( rc|;urdinj[ (hr action .it;.iliisl irrrnrkls in IXIKIIIOII. Thr Matrmrnl IH US followI:
The Israel Defense Forces action against the PLO terrorist concentrations in Lebanon is designed to bring to an end the constantly growing threat to the welfare and safety of Israel's population in Galilee - the area adjacent to the border with Lebanon. 'flie central and declared aim behind the functioning of the terrorist organization called FLO. including all its associated terrorist groups, is tho1 elimination of the State of Israel through violent means. It has become clear that the build-up of the PLO's vast arsenal of weapons and ammunition in Lebanon is being used against Israel, in order to realized the aims of- these terrorists. No sovereign state could agree to the continued existence of such a situation. Israel's action is being taken in full accordance with international law, in the exercise of inherent right of self-defense, which is one of the sovereign states' fundamental rights. It is also being taken in full conformity with the United Nations charter which, in ariide 51, reaffirms the right of self-defense for all member states.
The threat of terrorist activity against Israel and its population had recently become imminent and immediate, with repeated and serious breaches of the cease-fire, including: the shelling of towns and villages in northern Galilee; infiltration into Israel via Jordan; the planting of explosives in towns and villages within Israel; and attacks on Jewish and Israeli targets abroad. All actions are aimed at causing maximum injury and bloodshed to the civilian population; men, women, and children. The attempt on the life of Shlomo Argov,Israel's Ambassador in London on June 3, was the culmination of the terrorist activities against Israel. The terrorist groups have utilized the period of the cease-fire since July 1981, to re-establish and expand their bases and fortifications in Lebanon, a country which they have virtually destroyed, with the help of their Syrian patrons. There they have acquired and stationed large quantities of tanks, missiles, artillery and ammunition. Similarly, they have constructed an extensive offensive infrastructure • including roads, ammunition stores, missile emplacements - all of which is directed to one purpose: use against Israel and its civilian population. This situation is proof that the cease-fire has long since lost all meaning: clearly, the terrorist organizations, by their
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very nature, do not constitute a body that respects international norms. The PLO shelling attacks of recent days prove that life and property in Israel are in constant danger. The destructive capability now in the hands of the terrorists is far greater than that which they controlled last year, when the towns and villages of Galilee were subjected to a war of attrition. The enlarged threat they pose today is therefore instant and overwhelming, giving rise to the necessity of self-defense on the part of the State of Israel, whose government has the natural and legal responsibility for the safety of its citizens and its territory. In the situation that has been created, there exists no possibility for further delay, and any further warning to the terrorists, after the repeated warnings of the past, would clearly be of no avail, since the purpose of the terrorists is to use their arsenal against Israel, .with the explicit aim of its destruction and the murder of Us civilians. It should be noted that Lebanon, the State in whose territory the terrorists are ensconced, is totally unable to prevent the presence ot the terrorists on its territory, or their activities against Israel and its citizens. In fact, very large parts of the Lebanese share Israel's view Continued on Puge 5