Jewish Settlers Block Key Roads to Protest West Bank Violence

Jewish settlers blocked main roads Sunday across the tense, Israeli-occupied West Bank to press for tougher government action to stem recent Arab violence in the territory.

In what was believed to be the biggest demonstration of its kind in years, hundreds of settlers closed 10 main roads for several hours by blocking them with cars and buses, Israeli security sources reported.

The protest appeared generally peaceful, with no reports of serious injuries.

The Israeli Cabinet devoted its weekly meeting Sunday to discussing the increase in Arab attacks on Israeli vehicles. In the past week, an Israeli died from burns after a firebomb was hurled through the windshield of his vehicle.

Over the weekend, Israeli troops raided the Palestinian refugee camp of Dahaisha on the busy Jerusalem-Hebron road and detained at least 20 Arabs.

A Cabinet communique after the meeting quoted Prime Minister Shimon Peres as telling his colleagues: “There can be no compromise on the security of the Jews and Arabs in the territories . . . . The policy of the government is one of leniency toward civilians and a firm hand against terror.”