High school students blocked roods, burned tires and stoned Israeli soldiers and vehicles in a series of disturbances that swept the West Bank over the weekend aimed against President Carter’s efforts to achieve an Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty. The worst incidents occurred in Ramallah where security forces intervened to disperse rioters. Violence was also reported in Nablus, Hebron and Bethlehem. One student was reported injured during a Ramallah demonstration. Students at the girls seminary hoisted a Palestinian flag over the building.
The uncontrolled demonstrations by the students were attributed to extremist elements. But West Bank leaders considered moderate by the Israelis added their voices to the general protest against a treaty. Many mayors of West Bank towns and villages signed a statement aimed mainly against Egypt which they accused of shutting its eyes to the Palestinian problem.
Elements supporting the Palestine Liberation Organization appeared to have succeeded in forming a united front against a bilateral Israeli-Egyptian agreement. They have accused President Carter of promoting such an agreement to enhance his own political fortunes. The East Jerusalem newspaper AI Kuds, frequently a voice of Arab moderation, published an open letter to Carter warning that an Israeli-Egyptian peace must not be concluded with-out Palestinian participation in the negotiations and a comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian problem.
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