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SERVING NEBRASKA AND IOWA SINCE 1920
Vol. LXIII No. 5
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(frtwi Jetuiith I^knraphic Agency International Wire Service}
(JTA) — The hijack of the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro by four Palestinian terrorists off Egypt's Mediterranean coast Monday, though lasting little more than 43 hours, left death in its wake and ah international furor over the killers' apparent escape from juctice. The United States assailed the "brutal killing" of an American, passenger, identified aa Leon Klinghoffer, 69, a New York City businessman who wa3 Jewish and confined to a wheelchair. Hia death, intimated after the hijackers surrendered off Port Said, Egypt, was confirmed some hours later by the U.S. Ambassador to Egypt, Nicholas Veliotea who demanded in Cairo that Egypt prosecute "those sons of bitches.' But the Egyptian authorities, who granted the hijackers * safe conduct out of Egypt, insisted they knew nothing of Klinghoffer's murder at the time. In a Jerusalem radio interview, Premier Shimon Peres declared Israel would not forgive or forget the murder. The world, he said, is witnessing "a new kind of racism in which an elderly man in a wheejehair is murdered in cold blood just because his name sounds Jewish.'1 £ bluntly accused the Palestine Liberation Organization and its leader, Yasir Arafat, of responsibility for the tragedy. The PLO denied complicity and even boasted that its "diplomacy" had succeeded in effecting the hijackers' surrender, thereby saving the lives1 of the 400 crew •'members-und passengers I'iboaidXhii "Achille Lauro when Bhe was seized. Peres' comment was "murder and lying go hand in hand." There were.no Israeli nationals aboardthe ship. But Israel was involved insofar as the hijackers demanded it release immediately SO imprisoned Palestinian terrorists in exchange for the hostages. Another link was the fact that the Achille Lauro, on a Mediterranean cruise that started in Genoa, was scheduled to call at the Israeli port of Ashdad after leaving Egypt. According to Peres and other Israeli officials, the hijackers intended to perpetrate a spectacular terrorist attack at Ashdad, but their plans went awry. Peres, meeting with United Nations Undersecretary General Brian Urquhart, con-
BuStetin The closing ceremonies for the synagogue at 3028 Cuming street will take place Sunday, Oct. 27 at 3 p.m. under the auspices of the Nebraska Rabbinical Council. . . ,, The ceremonies will follow the open house hosted by the Nebraska Jewish historical Society which- is offering guided tours starting at 1:30 p.m. The tours are open to Jewish Communities in Nebraska and Iowa.
"The vicious cycle of terrorism has r e ceived a severe setback with our President's decisive action in capturing the four thugs who'murdered an American iri a wheelchair and terrorized hundreds of innocent civilians" said Congressman Hal Daub upon supporting a House resolution commending the recent action of the President which resulted in the arrest of four individuals believed to have pirated a Mediterranean . cruise ship this week. . "Civilized nations can take comfort in this swift and decisive blow to barbarism. This action shows that we aren't helpless in tKe face of these kinds of savage attacks." Daub remarked. "What remains are questions. over the role and responsibility of Yasser Arafat. He
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tended that the PLO and Arafat personally were responsible not only for the Achille Lauro hijacking but for the torture-murder of two Israeli merchant seamen in a Barcelona, Spain, apartment and the Sept. 25 murders of three Israelis aboard u yacht in Larnaca, Cyprus. According to Ports, Arafat is.determined to derail the peace efforts being pursued by King Hussein of Jordan. Peres appeared ready to give President Hosni Mubarak the benefit of the doubt, at least for the time, being, with respect to Egypt's conduct after the ship hijackers surrendered. Mubarak told reporters in Cairo that the four Palestinians left the country five hours before Egypt knew that an American hostage had been murdered. "If we knew about the killing, we would have changed our position on the whole op-' eration," he said. Egyptian officials said they received their information about what was happening aboard the vessel from its Master, Gapt. Gerrardo de Rosa. Immediately after the surrender, the captain waff quoted as saying all passengers and crew were alive and well arid that ho violence had occurred during the hijack. Italy's Premier Bettirio Craxi held a press conference in Rome in which he disclosed that Capt. de Rosa informed him in a radiotelephone report from the ship that an American passenger was missing and presumed dead and de Rosa, who had his passport, believed the body was thrown overboard. The passenger was identified as Klinghoffer, His death was confirmed by Ambassador Veliotes who flew front Cairo to Port Said and, at President Reagan's request, was permitted to board the Achille Lauro and interview the freed hostages. Egyptian officials and diplomatic representatives abroad insisted that Egypt's role in the matter was solely as an intermediary conveying messages between the hijackers and the people negotiating the release of the hostages. The latter were the Ambassadors of 'Italy, Britain and West Germany in Egypt, a representative of the International Red Cross and two or more representatives of the PLO, said to have been dispatched by Arafat.
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Italian, British and Weat .German nationals, as well as Americans were among the hostages and the envoys of those countries were selected by the hijackers to negotiate. Italy's Foreign Minister, Giulio Andreotti, said in Rome that he agreed-with Egypt's Foreign Minister, Ismat Abdel Meguid, that the hijackers should be treated leniently provided none of the hostages was harmed. In Washington, State Department officials said they were furious at the speed with which the various negotiators allowed the hijackers to go free. White House spokesman Larry Speakes expressed anger at both the Italian and Egyptian authorities.
claims tdhave been instrtinlental in getting the terrorists to leave the ship, but according to the Ne\v York Times, Arafat,'.:. at the height of his campaign to gain world recognition for the P.L.O., he secretly di" rected die Black September organization'" 1 Daub rioted. This group was responsible for some of the riiost heinous terrorist atrocities against Israeli civilians. "HopeMly as the captured terrorists are interrogated, the role of Arafat will become clear. I understand the United Nations has the gall to consider inviting Arafat to address its 40th anniversary later this month. .If he had a role in this most recent terrorist attack, wouldn't it be nice to celebrate all the U.N.'s wonderful contribution's to world peace with the arrest and conviction of one of its principal speakers?" Daub said.
By Cucan Palcy Campaign Volunteer A program entitled "In Your Honor" will be presented for the v/on.cn of the Chai/ Grand Gifts Divi- , Eion at the Grand J Gifts Luncheon on I Dec. 3. "Program • director, author, and producer .' Joanie Jacobson ; •has created a new, i unique production I j s for us," said Mrs. Nancy Greenberg, chairman of the 1985 Women's Federation Campaign. "Joanie, who is herself,a seasoned Joanie Jacobcon performer, has produced many wonderful Jewish programs in the past. We feel that her latest offering will certainly be the most distinctive. We are all looking forward to the luncheon with great anticipation." "This new program in praise of Jewish women will be presented by caring and committed Jewish men," commented Ms. Ja-
Dr. Paul Shyken, general chairman for the State of Israel Bonds, announced that Murray Newman has 'accepted the chairmanship of the Patron-Host Committee for 1985. In accepting Newman this position Mr. Newman said, "it is a great honor to be part of this year's Dinner of State in honor of Harlan Noddle". Mr. Newman continued, "Israel is on the threshold of becoming a major country in high technology and Israel Bonds has contributed to this success". This year the annual Patron-Host meeting will be hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Murray Newman on Oct. 24 at the Jewish Community Center at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Newman added, "besides a distinguished guest speaker, we will preview a recently released video tape entitled 'Israel Bonds Report'. It is a short informative report on Israel's contributions in the fields of medical technology, robotics and aeronautics. " "All the hosts have received an invitation and we hope everyone will attend. Please call the'Israel Bond office at 3411177 to let them know we can count on your support."
cobson. "We have chc.n an interesting. cross-section of men, each of whom stands for a different aspect and quality of Jewish life. The theme of this program is really 'Tiio Be&t of Being a Jewish Woman'. It speaks to the spirit. , • . • " • • ' . "It's always exciting forma to write a program about being Jewish, bacauEc that's who I afn. I have strong feelings about maini tauiiiig a Jewish identity and enjoying a Jewish pride. So many of us seem to lack a fervor about being Jewish, and I welcome any chance I get to rekindle those feelings"" "• . _ in people. Our hope is that while we are dazzling our honored ladies with an exciting event, we will inspire tham toward a greater commitment to our community and to the Jewish world at large." -A Reservations for the Chai/Grand Gifts Luncheon may be made by calling Sandra Belgrade or Elinor Penner at the JCC. Ms. Jacobson is a freelance writer, director, and producer who prepares programs for non-profit organizations and businesses, corporations, and independent producers. Her credits include: Writing and directing "The Good and Bad Dreams of Sylvia Uosentahal," performed at Beth El and Beth Israel Synagogues; writing and producing the Double , Chai Revue for the Jewish Community Center; writing and directing " G r e a t Jewish. Women," a program for the Women's Campaign Luncheon. . . . , Also, writing and directing IIAGS forthe Child Sayings Institute, performed at the Orpheum, Sept. 7. Ms. Jacobson is a native of Des Moines and a former resident of Chicago. She earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from ' the Goodman School of Drama in Chicago.
Allan M. Gonsher, who has served as executive director of Jewish Family Service for almost six years, has resigned to start a new venture in Omaha. Rabbi Gonsher, in a letter to the Board of Directors Allan Gonsher ^ of JFS, said that his resignation is effective* Dec. 28 and that he will assume the presidency of Kids, Inc., 11212 Davenport. He said the new firm will provide educational classes to families with children ages infancy to 10 years old and consultation services for educators, day care workers and health care professionals. The firm also will provide counseling services for families and children. • •. . In addition to Rabbi Gonsher's dual role as director/therapist, JFS currently employs two therapists and an executive secretary.
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By Yityzhak Rabi senger," Leon Klinghoffer, 69, of New York UNITED NATIONS, (JTA) — In an un- City, who was killed by the Palestinian terprecedented move, the Security Council rorists, and welcomed the release of the pasunanimously condemned "the unjustifiable sengers and the crew of the hijacked ship. and criminal" hijacking of the Italian cruise The statement, which was issued at a ship Achille Lauro by Palestinian terrorists. brief Council meeting after all 15 members For the first time in its 40-year history, agreed privately on the wording, read: the Security Council also condemned "ter"The members of the Security Council rorism in all its forms, wherever and by welcome the news of the release of the paswhomever committed." . j senger. They resolutely condemn this unThe condemnation was issued in a state- justifiable and criminal hijacking as well as ment, read by United States Ambassador to , other acts of terrorism, including hostage the UN, Vernon Walters, who is this taking. They also condemn terrorism in all month's President of the Security Council. its forms, wherever and by whomever comThe statement deplored "the death of a pas- mitted."