Palestinian Arrested in Stabbing of Israeli-Appointed Arab Mayor

The Israeli army Friday said it arrested a 26-year-old Palestinian suspected of stabbing an Israeli-appointed Arab mayor in the occupied West Bank earlier this week.

An army spokesman said Khamis Jawdat Faraj, who was arrested late Thursday night at his home in the Jalazoun refugee camp, had been stalking Hassan Tawil, 74, the mayor of Al Birah.

“He followed the mayor’s movements, intending to assassinate him, and attempted to do so previously, without success,” the spokesman said, adding that Faraj was suspected of carrying out the attack for pro-Palestinian political motives.

Tawil, who was stabbed outside his office Tuesday, was listed in fair condition at a Jerusalem hospital.

It was the first assassination attempt on a prominent Arab mayor since the anti-Israel uprising in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip began Dec. 9. According to the Israeli army, 193 Palestinians and two Israelis have died in the unrest.

Bulldozed Suspect’s House

The army spokesman also confirmed that the army bulldozed Faraj’s house. Under emergency security regulations, the Israeli army can demolish the house of any resident who has committed any offense that authorities consider to be a terrorist act.

The Jalazoun camp, about 12 miles north of Jerusalem, was then placed under curfew.

The underground Palestinian committee directing the uprising has repeatedly called for the resignation of West Bank mayors, policemen and employees of the administration that runs the territories. The committee has urged residents to attack those who remain in office.

Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir on Friday returned from a five-day trip to the United States and told reporters he urged Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard A. Shevardnadze to support direct peace talks between Israel and its Arab neighbors.

Shamir said he told Shevardnadze at their meeting in New York that he opposes an international conference on Middle East peace.