The repatriation of Arab refugees wishing to return to the Israeli-held west bank of the Jordan River will begin tomorrow morning under the arrangements agreed upon between Israel and Jordan for the readmission of those Arabs who fled the west bank when Israel occupied that area during the June war. The crossing of some 2,000 refugees, embracing 400 families. will be made tomorrow over the Allenby bridge and over the Dumya bridge, near Jericho.
It was learned here today that Israel’s determination to screen the applications filed by the would be returnees has so far resulted in the banning of only 100 persons–out of a total of 21,000 applications. Those refused entry include persons with a criminal past, security risks, and some who had failed to file sufficient proof showing they had previously lived on the west bank.
Israeli authorities said there would be no crossing on Saturday, the Jewish sabbath, but that officials hoped 2,000 or 3.000 people would cross each day next week. The Red Cross estimated that 20,000 applications had been submitted to the Israelis on behalf of 80,000 refugees. Registration closed last night.
Meanwhile, it was announced today that Arab residents of the west bank may soon be able to get money sent to them by their relatives in Jordan-held areas, through special arrangement with the International Red Cross. Under the arrangement, pension funds due to west bank residents would be sent by relatives in Jordan to a special fund in a Swiss bank. The Red Cross would then transfer those funds to the west bank Arabs.
Jordan has reportedly approved the plan so as to encourage more Arabs to move to the Israeli-held west bank. Although there has been no official confirmation about the Jordanian Government’s approval of the plan, Arabs living on the west bank said today they had received letters from relatives in Jordan informing them of the impending payments.
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