Palestinian Terrorist Should Face Justice

Re “Planner of ’85 Hijack Captured,” April 16: Bravo to the U.S. for sticking to its guns in the arrest of Abul Abbas! It is indeed instructive to note that the same Palestinians who cheered as the Scuds flew into Tel Aviv in 1991 are the ones who have, once again, chosen the wrong side in demanding the release of Abbas. What was it Israeli leader Abba Eban said about the Palestinians never missing an opportunity to miss an opportunity?

Saeb Erekat, a senior Palestinian official, claims that the U.S. has no right to imprison Abbas under the Oslo peace accords. The State Department notes that the accords apply to Israel and the Palestinians, not to a third party. Abbas portrays himself as a reformed terrorist who is sorry for his crimes and yet has said that Leon Klinghoffer [a passenger on the hijacked cruise ship Achille Lauro] was killed because he was causing “problems” among his fellow hostages. Abbas was convicted in absentia by the Italians after their cowardly actions in letting him slip away after the hijacking. The U.S. wants to know about his ties to terror, and we should all sleep easier knowing that he will face justice.

Salim al-Sfatayim

Fullerton