Attempts by Jewish settlers on the West Bank to block three major roads as a gesture of solidarity with opponents of Israel’s withdrawal from Sinai, failed today. But severe traffic jams developed before soldiers removed the barricades. In some cases, angry drivers pushed them aside. No serious incidents were reported.
Meanwhile, the situation at Yamit in northern Sinai remained tense today, although the town was outwardly calm. The army, which had forcibly removed scores of illegal squatters from villages and makeshift encampments in the Yamit area last week took no further action over the weekend. Many of those removed Wednesday and Thursday have reportedly re-infiltrated the region.
While leaders of the stop the withdrawal movement vowed to continue their resistance, the Jewish Agency’s settlement department has arranged to resume the dismantling of farm equipment and mobile homes in Yamit and other Sinai settlements for relocation in Israel. The dismantling was halted last month when militant settlers clashed with Jewish Agency workers. This time, troops are standing by to provide protection for the workers.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.