Jewish ‘settlers’ defy Govt

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33665, 15 October 1974, Page 10

Jewish ‘settlers’ defy Govt

(NZP.A.-Reuter— Copyright) TEL AVIV.

Security forces on Wednesday began evicting hundreds of Orthodox and nationalist Jews who slipped through roadblocks in a bid to settle the occupied West Bank of Jordan. The action by the would-be settlers — involving clashes with Israeli forces in some cases—was one of the biggest acts of defiance of the Government in Israeli history. It was followed a few hours later by a warning from the Prime Minister (Mr Rabin) that unauthorised settlement would not be tolerated. Several hundred Jews planning to squat in various parts of the West Bank breached security roadblocks during the night. Hundreds were stopped, but a spokesman for them said that

several others managed to get through to three designated. spots near Nablus and Jericho. Israel Radio reported clashes between the squatters and security forces at Tel Gavir, near Ramallah, north of Jerusalem.

The Army announced later it had started to remove some squatters at Wadi Kelt, near Jericho. Other “settlers” indicated they might' leave Ma’Ale Adumin, also near Jericho, after talks with security force officers. Many infiltrators persuaded to leave began converging on Jerusalem to demonstrate against Government policy, reiterated by Mr Rabin. Speaking at a forum, he said he regretted that security forces were occupied in preventing illegal settlement, but repeated that the Government would not stand for unauthorised attempts to settle the territories —occupied by Israel i since the 1967 war.