Mideast situation/Lebanon – Letter from Israel

Letter dated 20 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 6 January 1987, the Shiite terrorist group that has already murdered eight Lebanese Jewish citizens over the past two years threatened to kill its remaining captives. This warning came only one week after the terrorist group had executed three Lebanese Jews it had kidnapped in 1985 (see A/42/70-S/18560).

On 12 January 1987, the terrorist group carried out its threat and killed one of its captives, Mr. Judah Benisti. He is the ninth victim of this fanatical group. (Mr. Benisti's two sons, Joseph and Abraham, were among the terrorist group's earlier victims.)

This is yet another anti-semitic attack on innocent Lebanese civilians who were abducted and murdered only because they were Jews. While the Government of Lebanon repeatedly voices its concern for the safety of its citizens, it greets the murder of Jewish citizens with complete silence.

The Government of Israel unequivocally condemns this most recent anti-semitic atrocity and urges its repudiation by the entire international community. We reserve the right to seek out these criminals and to bring them to justice.

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

Ambassador

Chargé d'affaires

—–