N.Y. Mayor Blames Israel for Hijacking
NEW YORK — Mayor Edward I. Koch on Monday blamed Israel for the hijacking of the TWA jetliner and urged Israel to release its prisoners in exchange for the hostages’ freedom.
He also urged President Reagan to carry out his threat of punishing the terrorists and singled out Iran as the likely target.
Koch, a staunch supporter of Israel, blamed the hijacking on Israel’s agreement last month to swap hundreds of Palestinians suspected of terrorism for three Israeli troopers.
“When they gave up 1,700 (actually 1,150) terrorists for three Israelis, they set an expectation,” the mayor said. “It gave them hope that you exact your retribution, you could exact your blackmail, all these terrible things.”
Since Israel set the precedent, he said, he is urging Israel to release the 700 Shia prisoners demanded by the hijackers in exchange for the release of the hostages.
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