Mideast situation/Lebanon – Letter from Israel

Letter dated 5 January 1987 from the Chargé d'affaires a.i.

of the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations

addressed to the Secretary-General

On 31 December 1986, a Lebanese Shiite terrorist group closely allied to "Hezbollah", announced that it had murdered three Lebanese Jews whom it had kidnapped and held since 1985; Mr. Joseph Benisti, aged 33; Mr. Henri Mann, in his fifties; and Mr. Eli Srour, aged 68.  Over the past two years, the same group has brutally tortured and murdered five other Lebanese Jews and is currently holding captive three additional Lebanese Jews (see A/41/188-S/17898).

Beyond demonstrating the sheer joy of killing that motivates these terrorists, the brutal murder of Jewish Lebanese citizens uncovers once again the despicable anti-Semitic nature of Arab terrorism.  Like the 21 victims of the Istanbul massacre, these most recent victims were abducted and killed simply because they were Jews.

The Government of Israel unequivocally condemns this latest anti-Semitic atrocity.  It should be universally repudiated by the entire international community.  Immediate action is required to prevent the remaining captives from being murdered and to stop further kidnappings of innocent and defenceless victims.  For its part, the Government of Israel reserves the right to seek out the perpetrators of these crimes.

I have the honour to request that this letter be circulated as an official document of the General Assembly, under the item entitled "The situation in the Middle East", and of the Security Council.

(Signed)  Johanan BEIN

Chargé d'affaires a.i.

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