Well informed sources here said today that Israel will abolish military governorships in areas inhabited by Israeli Arabs, by December 1, 1966, and will ease certain restrictions now in effect on the free movement of about 150, 000 Arabs in this country. Prime Minister Levi Eshkol had announced earlier this year that the Government has decided to abrogate special “emergency regulations” affecting Israeli Arabs, but had not fixed the date for effecting the changes.
The 150, 000 Arabs to be affected by the liberalization regarding freedom of movement live in areas under Israeli military government along the Jordanian border and around the all-Arab city of Nazareth. At present, they are not allowed to travel outside their military-government areas without special permits. They are also forbidden to reside in other areas without prior authorization by the military government. Most of the other Arabs in Israel have absolute freedom of movement, and the plan is to extend the same rights to all Arabs in the country.
The Government has now decided to replace the military governors with civilian authorities and regular police. A special police headquarters to deal with the Arab minority in Israel has already been established.
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