Arab residents and businessmen in the occupied West Bank region were plunged into gloom by Nasser’s bellicose speech before the Egyptian national assembly in Cairo last week. They see it resulting in tightened Israeli security measures on the one hand, and increased Arab terrorist activities on the other — with themselves caught in between.
This was the consensus in a survey conducted by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency today in several West Bank towns. Only a few days ago the mood was guardedly optimistic, following unanimous approval by the U.N. Security Council of the British resolution on the Middle East. Many believed that Israeli forces might begin to withdraw before Christmas, which would mean relief from Israeli taxes, the aspect of occupation that the West Bankers consider most burdensome. As a result of Nasser’s speech, the same people believe now that the occupation will last for at least a year or more, and see themselves as the main victims of “Nasser’s boasting.”
They fear that Nasser will support terrorist activities in the West Bank, that King Hussein of Jordan will not be able to follow an independent course, and that Israel will tighten her control. Some suggest that Israel ignore Hussein and work out a direct settlement with the West Bankers, many of whom apparently do not relish the prospect of reunification with Jordan. The owner of a large arts and crafts firm told JTA that many Arab businessmen are seriously considering immigration to the United States or Latin America, fearing ruin if they remain.
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.
