The World - News from Feb. 22, 1989

Police investigators determined that the death of an Israeli settler--initially blamed on a Palestinian firebomb--was actually caused by a malfunction in his car, Israel Radio reported. Settlers, apparently stunned by the announcement, called for a new investigation into the Feb. 8 death of Albert Jerassi, while a left-wing member of Parliament said the settlers should apologize to their Palestinian neighbors. The radio report said that a faulty hose caused the fire that killed Jerassi, 38, who died while driving home to the West Bank settlement of Alfei Menashe. Meanwhile, Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied territories observed a general strike for the third day.