Israeli authorities reported a number of arrests today in connection with the bus ambush near Dura village in the Hebron area Saturday in which an American tourist, Leon Holz, of Brooklyn, was fatally wounded. The suspects were rounded up in a police dragnet that combed the area immediately after the incident.
Authorities announced meanwhile that more stringent security measures will be taken to protect civilian vehicles from attacks. Minister of Tourism Moshe Kol indicated that he would recommend that the Jerusalem-Hebron-Beersheba road where the ambush occurred no longer be used by tourist buses. He also said it would be wise if busses travelling through the occupied territories were armed. Such measures have been avoided in the past because of the negative impression they might have on tourists. Mr. Kol said in a radio interview yesterday that his ministry had approved the route taken by the tourist bus but may have to reconsider it as a result of Saturday’s tragedy.
The body of Mr. Holz, 48, was flown back to the United States today at Israel Government expense for burial. Authorities said that the victim’s wife and 14 year-old son will be entitled to survivors’ pensions and other payments under a new law providing for the victims of terrorist actions which passed its first reading in the Knesset last week. The bill applies to visitors as well as to Israeli citizens. Although it has not become law yet, the National Insurance Institute said it would act in the case of the Holz. family as if the measure were already passed.
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