Some 7,000 west bank Arab refugees, whose return from Jordan was approved but who missed the August 31 deadline, will start returning to their homes this Sunday. The Israel Ministry of the Interior announced Tuesday that the refugees will be able to make their return without any time limit. Crossings of the Jordan River will be permitted three times weekly, over the Allenby Bridge. The Ministry is expected to announce details next week regarding resumption of a family reunion plan for Arab refugees.
Israel is due shortly to announce its reply to a note by United States Secretary of State Dean Rusk, in which he reiterated the U.S. position supporting the return of all west bank refugees to their former homes. The Israel reply is expected to reformulate the basic position that, on the return of refugees as well as on other matters, direct talks must be initiated between Israel and the Arab nations involved.
Meanwhile, it has been learned that two friendly West European states have informed Israel that their position on refugees at the next session of the General Assembly, opening next week, will be formulated in accordance with Israel’s.
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