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Curfew Resumes in Territories to Deter Protests Tied to War

February 25, 1991
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The West Bank and Gaza Strip were put under tight curfew again Sunday as Israeli authorities acted to prevent possible pro-Iraqi demonstrations linked to the allied ground offensive in the Persian Gulf.

At the same time, police raided the East Jerusalem offices of Palestinian activist Faisal Husseini and seized large quantities of equipment.

The premises were sealed until next July.

The latest curfew affects 1.5 million Palestinians, who had been confined to their homes since the war started.

Restrictions were relaxed somewhat last week but were tightened again as the Gulf war entered a new and possibly climactic stage.

Husseini, who is recognized as the most senior Palestinian nationalist leader in the administered territories, has long been a target of the Israeli authorities.

His main office, which housed the Center for Arab Studies, has been closed for two years. But has continued to operate from his home on the Mount of Olives.

Husseini is well regarded in some circles abroad for his advocacy of non-violent resistance to the Israeli presence in the territories. But many Israelis say he is a leader of the intifada.

On Sunday, the police said they ordered him to open his offices in the Wadi Joz and Shuafat neighborhoods of East Jerusalem. He refused, whereupon the police forced entry.

They said they found considerable equipment, including computer terminals and the Arab Studies Center archives.

Two gasoline bombs were thrown Sunday evening in East Jerusalem without causing casualties or damage. One was aimed at a border police patrol in Wadi Joz and the other at a Jewish home in the Old City.

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