Report That a Terrorist ‘hit Team’ Will Try to Kill West Bank Village Leagues Leader During His U.S.

Mustafa Dudein, head of the Village Leagues on the West Bank, may cut short his visit to the U.S. and return to Israel tomorrow because of a report that a Palestinian terrorist “hit team” will try to assassinate him in the U.S., the Jewish Telegraphic Agency learned today.

Rep. James Scheuer (D. N.Y.), who arranged for Dudein to meet with members of Congress here and with Jewish and non-Jewish groups in Washington this week and in New York next week, said the FBI has confirmed the report. Dudein is being protected by U.S. and Israeli security guards but Scheuer said he wants to return to the West Bank where he feels “totally secure.”

Scheuer met Dudein on a visit to Israel last summer and was angered to find out that Dudein and other Village League leaders were not recognized by the U.S. Consulate in East Jerusalem, He invited him to come to Washington to express his “moderate” views to members of Congress and others. Scheuer has also been trying to get State Department officials to meet with Dudein.