Many Arab shops re-opened in East Jerusalem today as a protest strike begun by Arab merchants last Saturday appeared to be petering out. Owners of 15 shops and restaurants that were seized by police Sunday have appealed the action to the High Court of Justice and police authorities will be called on to defend the legality of the seizure.
According to authorities, the Arab premises were confiscated to serve as billets for extra policemen assigned to maintain order in East Jerusalem where tensions ran high. Arab merchants there went on strike Saturday in a gesture of protest on the 51st anniversary of the Balfour Declaration. The strike was continued Sunday, Monday and today because of the confiscations. Last night burning rags were thrown into three Arab shops whose owners did not observe the strike but the fires were put out before they could cause damage. Police continued to patrol the streets today but no incidents were reported.
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