Work Starts on the Expansion of Jewish Settlement at Kiryat Area

Work began yesterday, under the protection of Israeli army guards, to expand the Jewish settlement of Kiryat Arba near Hebron. The work, that of building additional housing, continued undisturbed despite a protest demonstration by a group of Arabs claiming ownership of the land known as Harsina Hill.

Although the hill was declared State land, the Arab villagers claimed they had proof that nearly 150 acres of that area were their own. The demonstration was led by Hebron Mayor Fahed Kowasme, who later appealed to Defense Minister Ezer Weizman to stop the project.

At the same time, it was learned yesterday that work has been completed on the reconstruction of the Hadassah building in Hebron–which still houses a group of Gush Emunim women despite a government order for their evacuation. The reconstruction work was described as a “humanitarian” gesture intended to improve the living conditions of the women and children living in the old building.

UNREST CONTINUES OVER UTILITY TAKEOVER

Meanwhile, unrest continued on the West Bank over the decision by the government to purchase the Arab-owned East Jerusalem Electric Corporation. A representative of the firm left for Amman yesterday for consultations on the Israeli decision. The company is owned by Arab municipalities on the West Bank and receives a stipend from the Jordanian government although it has operated under Israeli rule since 1967. The decision to purchase the utility firm was made because the company has been unable to serve its customers adequately.

The company’s directors have refrained so far from public acts of protest, but are considering legal action. The directors believe the government has no legal basis for purchasing the franchise of the company. At the same time, a delegation from the utility is scheduled to leave for several Arab countries on an emergency fund-raising tour to try and raise the necessary money needed to improve the electric company’s service.