Israel Seeks to Curb Independence Day Rites by Palestinians

RAMALLAH, West Bank —  Israel confined more than 1 million Palestinians to their homes in the occupied territories today to prevent them from celebrating the anniversary of their independence declaration.

But in some remote villages and in areas of Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem, Palestinians held paramilitary parades and decorated shops, homes and cars with red, green, white and black balloons--the colors of their banned flag.

The 1.75 million Arabs in the West Bank and Gaza Strip have been waging an uprising against Israeli occupation since December, 1987.

The Palestine National Council, a parliament in exile, declared statehood Nov. 15, 1988.

Israel rejects Palestinian independence as a threat to the Jewish state. Many countries, including some in Western Europe, recognize the Palestinian state.

Two years ago, Israel cut electricity in the occupied areas to keep residents from hearing broadcasts of the declaration at an Algiers meeting. Last year troops killed one Palestinian and wounded 15 while breaking up celebrations.

The army said that most of the Gaza Strip was under curfew today. Troops widened curfews in the West Bank to include the town of Jenin and central Ramallah.

Soldiers drove through Ramallah telling residents through loudspeakers: “By decree of the military governor it is forbidden to roam the streets until further notice.”

Ramallah’s streets were deserted except for a large number of Israeli soldiers in the city center. Troops also manned checkposts on the Ramallah-Jerusalem road, turning back journalists trying to enter the West Bank. The army declared all West Bank cities closed military areas.