Arabs in Israel and the administered territories have expressed differing views on the second interim agreement. While Israeli Arabs and Arabs in East Jerusalem generally reacted favorably. Arabs in Nablus on the West Bank criticized the agreement, One East Jerusalem paper, “Al Quds.” said the agreement was a positive outcome of the Yom Kippur War, but two other newspapers. “A-Shaab” and “Al Fajr” said the agreement ignored the Palestinians.
The Mayor of Hebron. Mohammed All Al Jaabari, congratulated both Israel and Egypt on the agreement, and complimented the United States for its diplomatic achievement. He praised Egyptian President Anwar Sadat as a “real leader” who had a long-range view, but said that similar agreements would have to follow on the Syrian and the Jordanian fronts. His political rival, Nablus Mayor Maazuz Al Masri, also praised the agreement, but stressed that without the Palestinians there would be no final settlement in the area.
Israeli Arabs expressed a much more positive view. The Jewish Telegraphic Agency correspondent toured several Arab villages near the Jewish town of Petach Tikva and found a general note of relief among the local residents. “Let there be quiet, if only for three years.” said Adlel, of Kafar Kassem, who works for a Jewish marble plant in Petach Tikva. “I am tired of always passing the security checks on the roads.” Many praised Sadat as a great Arab leader who would succeed in advancing the area toward peace.
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