Israeli high court delays West Bank mayors' exile

October 3, 1980

The Israeli Supreme Court issued a temporary injunction forbidding the government from deporting the mayors of Hebron and Halhoul,on the occupied West Bank. They referred a final decision to a panel of three judges, which should make a ruling early next week. The mayors were deported in May the day after Palestinia guerrillas killed six Jews in Hebron.Israeli authorities said the mayors incited the population against the occupation, thus contributing to the atmosphere that made the attack possible.