Israelis, except for the most extreme nationalist circles, appeared increasingly uncomfortable today with the government’s equivocal position on the Gush Emunim campers at Shiloh in central Samaria. While government spokesmen insisted that they had permission only for an archaeological dig, the Gush was frankly telling reporters yesterday it regarded itself as the vanguard of a new Jewish settlement. Statements by Premier Menachem Begin last night and Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan this morning did not seem calculated to discourage that concept.
Begin told Herut Party stalwarts last night, “This government is a settling government” and that Agriculture Minister Ariel Sharon, an advocate of massive settlement programs in the occupied territories, reported to him that “at night in Samaria the lights of Jewish settlements could be seen twinkling.” Begin added that he did not want to get into a confrontation with the U.S. over the settlements.
Dayan, who left today for Zurich to chair a meeting of Israeli ambassadors to European countries, said he “admired” the Gush at Shiloh for stating honestly that they wanted to turn the place into a permanent settlement. He warned the Gush campers mildly, however, that it was up to the government to determine where and when new settlements would be established.
ATTEMPT TO CAMOUFLAGE INTENTIONS
The failure of the Cabinet to clarify, or even officially discuss the Shiloh situation at its weekly session yesterday drew new criticism from Israeli newspapers. Charges of duplicity, lack of good faith and double-dealing have been leveled by media commentators.
The fact that the Gush campers were belatedly issued permits for archaeological excavations at the site, was viewed by many observers as a weak attempt by the government to camouflage their true intentions. A television statement by a spokesman for the World Zionist Organization’s settlement department that it would not extend the usual assistance to the Shiloh group was seen as a case of protesting too much. If they are only engaged in an archaeological dig, why should the question of settlement assistance come up at all, some observers asked.
Cabinet Secretary Arye Naor seemed less than frank to newsmen when he told them after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting that the group at Shiloh could stay there as long as they did not engage in activities outside the limits of a digging permit. Naor said if the group set up a bank they would be abusing the permit but if a Kupat Holim clinic was established it would not be an infringement because archaeologists could require medical care.
He would not say whether the establishment of a “kindergarten” for several 2-3-year-old “archaeologists” was an infringement. Naor said that what the Gush campers told reporters had no legal significance. But he would not say whether the digging permit contained any time limit.
ANTI-ISRAEL DEMONSTRATIONS IN NABLUS
Meanwhile, violent anti-Israel demonstrations erupted in Nablus, the largest West Bank town, last night and this morning requiring intervention by Israeli troops to restore order. As on past occasions, the demonstrations were initiated by high school students who threw stones at passing Israeli vehicles and lit bonfires in the streets to block traffic. Schools were closed this morning.
Israeli forces surrounded one school where students had set fire to the furniture. Tear gas bombs were used and several score students were detained. An undisclosed number of persons were injured. The town was reported still tense but quiet by late afternoon.
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.
