Outlawed Arab groups call for attacks

Press, 31 March 1989, Page 6

Outlawed Arab groups call for attacks

NZPA-Reuter Gaza Palestinian militants in the occupied Gaza Strip yesterday called on residents to “irrigate our land with your blood” in protests marking a key Arab anniversary. Israeli officials warned Palestinians not to resort to violence and the Army said it would respond if necessary with “extreme aggression.” In an unprecedented publicity blitz six outlawed Arab groups distributed leaflets in the Strip calling for attacks on Israeli forces on Land Day, the anniversary of 1976 protests against land expropriation in which six Arabs were killed. Groups ranging from communists to Islamic fundamentalists ordered residents of the Gaza Strip to defy an Israeli curfew. Leaflets signed by the pro-Syrian Popular Struggle Front urged them to “irrigate our land with your blood so that the tree of our dignity may grow.” Israeli troops yesterday imposed what they said was an indefinite curfew on the Strip’s 650,000 Palestinian residents and barred the one million Arabs of the occupied West Bank from entering Israel for 24 hours.

About 4500 police and 500 soldiers

were on alert after leaders of a 15month Palestinian uprising in the occupied territories called on Israel’s 700,000 Arab citizens to join in anti-Israel violence.

Palestinians in the Gaza Strip reported seeing busloads of troops arriving in the area and soldiers setting up posts in the taller buildings and camps in some villages. At least 413 Palestinians and 17 Israelis have died in the revolt against Israeli rule in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Israel has been widely criticised for its handling of the unrest. A string of Cabinet Ministers spoke on radio and television asking Arabs to keep the peace. In a message to Israeli Arabs, the Industry and Trade Minister, Ariel Sharon, told Israel Television, “I hope the Arab population will understand they have to live in peace with the State of Israel.”

The Army chief of staff, LieutanantGeneral Dan Shomron, in an Arabicsubtitled television broadcast aimed at residents of the territories, warned Palestinians that they would suffer if they attacked troops or Israeli civilians.