Strikes and rowdy demonstrations continued today in major towns of the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip where the military governor ordered three high schools closed after students set up roadblocks and threw stones. Twenty Arab youngsters were arrested and fined $7 apiece.
In Nablus, the largest West Bank town, virtually all shops were closed as businessmen went on strike to protest the curfew imposed on the old quarter Wednesday after violent student demonstrations. Schools were closed today and students stood around on street corners occasionally jeering at police, throwing stones and setting rubbish fires. Mayor Hamdi Kanaan, who had reportedly resigned yesterday because “he could do nothing more for the town,” said he delayed his resignation because of pressure from townspeople. Demonstrations were also reported in the West Bank towns of Tulkarem, and Jenin and in Kahn Yunis in the Gaza Strip. The demonstrations in Gaza and the West Bank started earlier this week for memory of Maj. Gen. Riad, Egyptian Chief of Staff, who was killed Sunday at the Suez Canal. Authorities in Gaza warned that schools would be closed if the demonstrations continued.
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