April 8, 1985

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF open al-Far'a prison to foreign journalists, deny 1/30 allegations of torture made by Intl. Commission of Jurists, but admit 2 cases of abuse occurred in the past [WP 4/9]. Body of 21-yr.-old IDF soldier found near Beit Ayre settlement; apparently victim of political violence [LAT 4/9]. Herut party youth movement Betar cancels attempt to hold opening ceremonies for office on Tel Rumeida, Hebron, after IDF threaten intervention [JP 4/9]. In discussions with UN Undersec. Gen. Brian Urquhart, DM Rabin asserts Israel does not object to extention of UNIFIL mandate (due to expire 4/19) but doubts UNIFIL's usefulness in border areas [JP 4/7, 4/9].