Ali, in Israel, Calls for Release of Lebanese

TEL AVIV — Former world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali arrived in Israel on Thursday to seek the release of 735 Lebanese detainees whose freedom has been demanded by the captors of the American hostages in Beirut.

“I am here in the name of God, the most merciful and compassionate,” Ali, a convert to Islam, told reporters. “I wish peace for all the inhabitants of Israel. I am here to discuss the release and the plight of 700 Muslim brothers of mine who are detained here in Israel.”