The jubilation that attended the transfer of EI Arish to Egyptian sovereignty last Friday has given way to concern among the local population and Israelis as well over problems that have cropped up with the new administration For one thing, the Egyptians have, for the time being, closed the border around EI Arish preventing workers from reaching their jobs at the laundry that lies on the Israeli side of the line Some workers have ignored the Egyptian check points and scaled the border fence to reach the laundry.
But the reduced labor force has kept the laundry production down to a quarter of its 450 tons per day capacity An added complication was the cut off of electric supply from the El Arish power station yesterday Power was restored when the laundry was connected to the Israeli electric system The local Egyptian commander informed the laundry manager that the cut off was an administrative matter, not political and also promised that the full work force will be available as of next Monday.
LARGE RADAR STATION WORRIES ISRAELIS
Meanwhile, many El Arish families have found their return to Egyptian rule less of a blessing than anticipated. According to reports, they were ejected from their flats to make room for the many Egyptian officers; now quartered in the town. There are also reports that some El Arish people have been subjected to interrogation by the Egyptians on alleged collaboration with the Israelis and in some cases were physically abused.
The Egyptians have installed a huge radar station in El Arish. It worries the Israelis but they cannot complain Under terms of the Israeli-Egyptian military agreement there is no limit to the size of electronic equipment as there is, for example, on the size, number and caliber of infantry battalions tanks and artillery.
INVESTIGATIONS LAUNCHED OF JEWISH MILITANTS’ ACTS
In Jerusalem today, Attorney General Yitzhak Zarnir asked Police Superintendent Haim Tavori to open on investigation into the fracas between Neot Sinai settlers and Israeli soldiers last week. Zamir is trying to determine whether the settlers attacked unarmed troops sent to evacuate them from their vegetable fields later returned to Egypt Zamir based his order on media reports of the incident and wants a police account before deciding whether to take legal action against the settlers.
Earlier this week, the Cabinet ordered a police investigation of the alleged forcible entry by Jewish militants into the homes of Arabs in Hebron. The Arabs reportedly were beaten up and their furniture smashed. According to the allegations, the militants, broke into homes which they claimed belonged to Jews 40 years ago.
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