THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 6 April 16, 1976 Communists, Pro-PLO Nationalists Win West Bank Seats, Pose Threat to Israel JERUSALEM (JTA) — Pro-Palestine Liberation Organization nationalists and Communists scored ov- erwhelming victories in most major West Bank towns in Monday's munici- pal elections, the first since 1972. About 63,000 regis- tered voters cast ballots — 22,000 of them women who were allowed to vote for the first time. The participation of 72.3 percent of the eligi- ble voters is considered high. Although only local town council seats were at stake, the results seem to have far- reaching implications for both Israel and Jordan. The voters rejected traditional- ist leaders, most of them from wealthy families, who have close ties with the Hashemite kingdom and have generally cooperated with Israeli authorities. They selected instead a younger generation of pro- fessionals, academicians and intellectuals, some of them radicals and some rel- ative moderates, but all with strong Palestinian na- tionalist sentiments. The nationalist bloc won all 10 seats in Hebron's town council, swamping the moderate slate sup- ported by former Mayor Mohammed Ali El-Jabaari who declined to stand for re-election. First place in Hebron went to Phahed Kuassma, a moderate nationalist. The runner-up was Dr. Awani Zayer, regarded as a leftist radical, who is expected to contest the appointment of Kuassma as mayor. Nationalists won eight out of the 10 council seats in Nablus, the largest town on the West Bank. First place went to Bassem Asha Ka, a radical leftist, and second was won by Dr. Hatem Abu Gazalla, a PLO supporter who has a record of arrests for nationalist activities. Communist candidates won a majority of the seats in Jericho. Incumbent Mayor Shafik Balu, a mod- erate close to the Jordanian court, took third place. Communists or PLO-sup- porters won substantial majorities in Tulkarem, Ramallah, El-Bireh and Beit Jallah. The nationalists failed, however, in Behtelhem where they took only two seats on the town council. The incumbent mayor, a traditionalist, is assured of re-election. In Jenin as well, Mayor Ahmed Carnal A-Sadi scored a victory. The communists failed to win a single seat. The heavy turn-out of vot- ers was all the more impres- sive inasmuch as heavy rains swept most of the West . Bank Monday. The high proprtion of women voters was seen as a strong break with tradition and a revolt against male conserv- atism which prevailed only in a few of the smaller towns. In Kabatya in the Sa- maria region, the local men, supported by Mayor Mu- hammed Khalil Hamadan, prevented women from vot- ing by refusing to register them on grounds that elec- tions were not "women's business." The local women did not protest that deci- sion. But in Tubas, about 15 miles away, women not only voted but one was a candi- date, Mrs. Rabae Eh-Zou- ahi, head of the local_ wel- fare association. There were four women candidates among the 538 seeking 205 seats. Campaigning on the West Bank was intense and supporters of different candidates pursued the voters right up to the doors of the polling station, handing out cards listing their slates and blaring slogans from loudspeak- ers. Progressives Create Israel Socialist Organization NEW YORK (JTA) — The in the Jewish community, tion to the "capitalist trend, formation of the Socialist are aware of the Socialist the denial of civil liberties, Zionist Union (SZU) was an- Zionist position on peace and the second-class status nounced here by representa- in the Middle East," the of Eastern Jews, Israeli tives of various progressive SZU spokesman said. Arabs and women." Zionist organizations and The SZU platform also This position is that individuals after a weekend peace can only come about views American Jewry as through mutual recogni- "dominated by a small elite conference. The purpose of the new tion of the right of the Is- . . . unaccountable to the organization, a spokesman raelis and. Palestinians to community." This elite, it said, is to present a unified self-determination and the continues, "claims to repre- Socialist Zionist voice and establishment of a Palesti- sent American Jewry and view in the United States nian state alongside Is- makes decisions on policy and most particularly, in rael." and disbursement of the the American Jewish com- The platform also states Jewish people's money with- munity. that "A socialist Israel is the out being responsible or re- Organizers of the group highest expression of the sponsive to the needs of , \ X include members of na- age-old Jewish commitment American Jews." X tional Zionist youth move- to a just society" and that The SZU, the spokes- THE LOST ART x ments, Habonirn, Hamag- the "trend toward capital- man added, is committed shimim and Hashomer ism in Israel has widened to the democratization of X' OF TAILORING Hatzair; representatives of the gap between rich and the American Jewish com- X Where? At Steve Petix, the local groups, among them poor and has wrenched Is- munity and to a changing home of the immaculate the Radical Jewish Union in rael away from its socialist of priorities to meet the fit in custom, tailored-to- measure or quality brand X Berkeley, Calif.; and indi- goals." It calls for opposi- needs of Jews. The organi- clOthing. viduals in New York, Bos- bt ,./ Open 9-6 daily e \ ton, Madison (Wis.), and (to 5:30 Sat.) ✓ 9-9 Thurs. & Fri. "N , Pittsburgh. Many of them, Z Ample parking 1,‹ the spokesman said, were Credit cards )< accepted formerly involved in Social- TEL AVIV — The 25th wry" is scheduled for publi- ist Zionist organizations in 31455 SOUTHFIELD ROAD / 645.5560 >( Between 13 & 4 Mile anniversary edition of cation under the auspices of the 1960s. XXXX XXX XXXX XX "Few Americans, even "Who's Who in World Je- Reka-Or Publications, Ltd., it was announced by I. J. Ad Must Be Presented at Time of Purchase from 4-1 to 4-30-76 Carmin Karpman, chief edi- tor. The compendium got its start in 1951 when Jewish leaders, scholars and re- searchers agreed upon the need for such a volume. Guidelines for prepara- tion included maintaining includes plugs, points, condenser, Check system for leaks, standards of objectivity and PCV valve, set timing & dwell Check vacuum lines and belts, authoritativeness and se- choke & carb. lecting on the basis of posi- labor & Freon tion, achievements and con- parts extra tributions as a result of a biographical questionnaire sent to prospects. The com- pilers also agreed that the WHERE PEOPLE STILL COME FIRST compendium be an expres- sion of Jewish identity and solidarity. The anniversary edition will reflect changes in the Jewish world, and for the first time, will include bi- ographies of noteworthy Jews in Russia. zation also terms aliya "a prerequisite for participa- tion in building a socialist society in Israel and is a priority for Socialist Zion- ists." xxxxxxxx>o