The Maronite Archbishop, Yousouf Raya, announced yesterday that he was resuming his campaign to persuade the government to permit the former residents of Ikrit and Baram villages on the Lebanese border to return to those sites. The villagers were evacuated nearly 25 years ago for security reasons. The government decided recently that the security considerations are still valid.
Archbishop Raya said his campaign was not directed against the Israeli government but rather was intended to “achieve an image of justice for the State in its 25th year.” He said a mass rally would be held near Hadera Saturday in which 3000 Arabs and Jews were expected to participate. Thousands of leaflets have been distributed in cities and villages announcing the rally.
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