West Bank Towns and Villages Under Curfew Following Student Demonstrations

Six West Bank towns and villages were under curfew today following a rash of anti-Israel student demonstrations which spread to East Jerusalem yesterday. The curfew was lifted later in one of the towns, El Byrah, where tensions were considerably eased. But it remained infect in El Byrah’s twin township of Ramallah and in Nablus, Tulkarem, Jenin and the village of Tubbas.

The demonstrations occurred despite promises by West Bank elders to control the youngsters. Military government officials conferred today with local Arab leaders and made it clear that further anti-Israel demonstrations would not be tolerated. Defense Minister Moshe Dayan warned on Kol Israel radio that Israel would take stern measures including curfews and arrests if local Arab officials are unable to maintain order. He said he held parents and teachers responsible for influencing the youths. He rejected an explanation that the demonstrations were aimed at King Hussein of Jordan because of rumored Jordan-Israel peace talks. They were clearly in support of El Fatah, the Arab terrorist organization and Egypt, the Defense Minister said.

The demonstrations in Ramallah-Byrah and in Nablus and Jenin were the second this week. They occurred in Tulkarem and Tubbas for the first time yesterday. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police armed with staves and aided by paratroopers took over strategic points following two attempts by local high school girls to demonstrate outside Damascus Gate and near the East Jerusalem bus terminal. The girls shouted “Nasser, Nasser” and slogans supporting El Fatah, Two arrests were made, Earlier six persons were detained on suspicion of instigating a business strike in East Jerusalem. All shops were closed yesterday and the streets were deserted except for busses and taxis. But business and traffic was back to normal today.

Four Arab leaders known to have incited West Bank Arabs to civil unrest were expelled to Jordan Friday–a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher and a deputy mayor. They were given a few hours to settle their affairs and then escorted to the Allenby Bridge. Officials said the doctor, Salah An batawi, a Ramallah pediatrician, was known to have collected money for a terrorist group. The lawyer was Mussa Jyussi of Nablus, a former member of the Arab Socialist Baath Party. Mohammed Tewfig Haj Hassan, Jenin deputy mayor, a nationalist, was accused of seeking to induce other municipal councillors to end cooperation with the Israeli military government. The teacher was Dr. Mussa Deeb Abu Ghosh of Ramallah. Officials also reported a number of other arrests of Arabs held responsible for inciting civil unrest and violence. They included teachers of both sexes, headmasters, merchants and students.