News In Brief

Israelis close university, tighten West Bank security

Israeli forces Wednesday closed Bethlehem University for two months and placed five Palestinian refugee camps in the occupied West Bank under curfew to curb violent anti-Israeli demonstrations.

Israeli troops were out in force to stem anticipated violence by Palestinians marking the anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, which in 1917 first lent British support to a Jewish homeland in Palestine. Most Arab shopowners shut their stores in a commercial strike in east Jerusalem to mark the anniversary.

Israeli officials closed two schools in the refugee camp of Kalandia, near Jerusalem, for a month after youths yesterday stoned Israeli vehicles, injuring a civilian. A curfew was also placed on the market of Nablus.