Israeli minister got news of massacre on Sept. 17

By Compiled From Wire Service Dispatches With Analysis From Monitor Correspondents Around The World; Edited By Anne Collier

November 19, 1982

Jerusalem

The Israeli government's contention that it moved swiftly to stop the Beirut massacre of Palestinians was challenged by Communications Minister Mordechai Zipori in testimony before the judicial board of inquiry.

Mr. Zipori said he was told at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 17, that a massacre was occurring in Sabra and Shatila camps. He said the information came from an Israeli journalist who heard of the killings from senior Israeli Army officers. He said he quickly passed on the news to Foreign Minister Yitzhak Shamir, who then met with US envoy Morris Draper and Israeli intelligence.