ARAB CATHOLICS PROTEST

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24869, 8 May 1946, Page 5

ARAB CATHOLICS PROTEST

STRONG OPPOSITION TO REPORT

(N.Z- Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, May 6. Arab Catholics in Palestine have cabled protests against the British and American Committee’s report to the King, clso the Pope, Mr Stalin. President the Prime Minister of France (M. Gouin), and Marshal Chiang Kai-shek, states Reuter’s correspondent in Jerusalem. Each message is in similar terms, saying that realisa-, tion of the recommendations will lead to supplanting the Arabs, including Christians, from the Holy Land, and requesting intervention for the establishment of an Arab democratic government and the safeguarding of the Christian population. Steel-helmeted police reinforcements, qarrying lathis and shields, were sent to the Jaffa Gate, where veiled Moslem women were protesting against the Palestine Report. The women were dispersed after harrangues by civic officials, while the police cleared the immediate vicinity of the Jaffa Gate. Madame Moghannan, the Americaneducated author of the book “Arab Women,” led the women demonstrators, a number of whom made speeches on the theme “This is the greatest betrayal of promises.” One banner inscribed “We won’t give up the land Which is the water and blood of our ancestors” was carried at the meeting. The president of the Arab Higher Committee said to-day that he had received a telegram from King Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia describing the Palestine Report as an unsurpassed injustice. ' The British Government has authorised the 1014 Jewish refugees who have been held up at Spezia to sail for Palestine, states the Spezia correspondent of the Associated Press. Two ships are expected to be ready to for Haifa on May 8. Jews last night demonstrated on the dock near the ship, singing a hymn.