West Bank Quieting Down

The West Bank has been quiet for the past 24 hours, except for minor incidents in Hebron yesterday. Some West Bank mayors who resigned during the past three weeks, are trying to strike a bargain with Israeli authorities. Haj Maazouz el-Masrihmet, the Mayor of Nablus, the largest West Bank town, reportedly offered to withdraw his resignation if Israeli military forces are thinned out and the curfews in Ramallah and El Bireh are lifted. But the Military Governor reportedly insisted that the mayor withdraw his resignation with no preconditions.

Shops in Nablus have remained closed for five straight days. The mayor said he might be able to persuade the merchants to re-open. The mayor of Jenin, who also resigned last week, is promising to restore normal life and order in that town. Some Israeli troops have been withdrawn.

JORDAN SEEKS TO COOL SITUATION

There were indications, meanwhile, that Jordan is as interested as Israel in ending the wave of disturbances and demonstrations on the West Bank. Amman’s motives coincide at least in part with those of Israel–to check the influence of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Jordanian authorities have called on West Bank leaders loyal to King Hussein to try to cool the situation as the date for West Bank municipal elections approaches.

West Bankers will go to the polls April 12 to elect mayors and town councilmen in accordance with Jordanian laws which have been retained by the Israeli administration. Both Israelis and Jordanians have a stake in the election of moderates and a diminution of PLO influence. Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Chaim Herzog, charged in the Security Council this week that the West Bank disturbances were fomented by the PLO with the aim of forcing postponement or cancellation of the local elections.