High Court Ends Hearings on Appeals of Reported West Bank Mayors; Will Render Decision ‘at Another D

The Supreme Court ended its hearing this evening on the appeals by mayors Faod Kawasme of Hebron and Mohamed Milbin of Halhoul against their deportation by the West Bank Military Government. The justices will render their decision “at another date,” it was announced. The two mayors remain in custody in the Ramie Jail pending the outcome.

Both were in court today, along with members of their families and many friends, to hear their attorney, Felicia Lander, argue their case. She cited learned opinion by West Bank judicial authorities to demonstrate that Jordanian law which applies in that territory does not countenance expulsion.

According to Langer, the special review board which rejected the mayors’ appeals last month — sending the case to the high court — was appointed by the Military Government in order to justify the original deportation orders, not to consider whether they are necessary.

Deputy State Attorney Dorit Beinish contended that, on the other hand, the review board had “bent over backwards” to be fair to the mayors. She submitted an affidavit from the West Bank military commander, Gen. Binyamin Ben Kliezer, stating that the proceedings were fair and that the presence of Kawasme and Milhin on the West Bank would constitute a security risk.

They were summarily expelled last May in the aftermath of the ambush slaying of six yeshiva students in Hebron by Palestinian terrorists. While the mayors were not implicated in the crime, the military authorities maintained that their nationalist and anti-Israel public statements created the climate in which it was committed.

Several minor disturbances broke out on the West Bank while the court was in session today. There were incidents of rock throwing at Israeli vehicles in Ramallah. An attempt by students to set up a road block in El Bireh was broken up by security forces.