Foreign Minister Abba Eban demanded last night that the Paraguayan government punish to the full extent of the law two gunmen who murdered a secretary at the Israeli Embassy in Asuncion yesterday and critically wounded her co-worker. The pair, identified as probable El Fatah members, entered the Embassy and opened fire with pistols fatally wounding Mrs. Edna Peer, wife of Embassy First Secretary Moishe Peer. Diana Zawluck, secretary to Ambassador Benjamin Varon was also wounded and reported in critical condition today. Mr. Eban called the shooting “yet another link in the chain of Arab terrorist attacks against innocent plane passengers and defenseless office workers outside the area of the Arab-Israeli conflict and in violation of other countries’ neutrality.” He called on Paraguayan authorities to take all necessary steps to protect Embassy personnel in Asuncion. The two gunmen captured by police as they tried to escape after the shooting were identified as Miguel Adapo and Cando Kalek. Their alleged affiliation with El Fatah could not be immediately confirmed. Asuncion police were seeking a third man said to be an accomplice.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.