TERRORISM TO BE RESISTED

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25089, 22 January 1947, Page 7

TERRORISM TO BE RESISTED

Jewish Leaders’ Statement ♦ USE OF FORCE IF NECESSARY (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 20. Mr David Remez, chairman of the Jewish National Council for Palestine, told Jewish leaders who were discussing counter-measures against terrorism, that the Jewish community would resist a further outbreak of violence by force if necessary. Golda Myerson, the head of the Jewish Agency’s political department, supporting Mr Remez’s statement, said: “We cannot continue to live in a state in which small groups decide what is to be the policy of the nation—groups guilty of extortion, intimidation of children, robbery at the pistol point, and the murder of innocent persons.”’ The council unanimously agreed that it would use force to oppose acts of terrorism.

The resolution which it passed added that Jewry would defend itself against threats used to obtain financial assistance and to coerce school teachers, pupils, and young people into acts of terrorism.

Commenting on this meeting, the Jerusalem correspondent of “The Times” says that mention was made of using ‘‘legal arms,” but the point was not elaborated. He adds that a slight tendency to take refuge ift words was still in fact to be observed, but the tone of the meeting was unmistakeably a long way nearer to readiness to act than at any time hitherto.

The Government’s reaction to the meeting is one of pleasant surprise that the Jewish community now expresses willingness to go as far as taking up arms against terrorism, though it was well aware that opinion among Palestine Jews was hardening against the terrorists. Mrs Myerson explained that at informal talks which were about to be held in London between representatives of the Jewish Agency and the British Government, the Jews would explain Arab rights in a Jewish state, but she added that sooner or later the whole problem would probably have to go before the United Nations and therefore the Agency would carry out ‘‘work of enlightenment” With this in view.

Both Mrs Myerson and Mr Remez declared that while these informal talks were progressing, the Government should do nothing in the way of provocation in Palestine, Mrs Myerson saying that if the talks ended satisfactorily then terrorism might fall off a little of itself. In any case, action against it would be made easier. But she added that it might be that an armed straggle would have to be begun while the talks were on. A statement condemning the activities of Jewish terrorists in Palestine has been issued by the Board of Deputes of the Association of British Jews.

‘‘lt is with a troubled heart that we admit that much sympathy has been lost by the violent and fanatical deeds of men crazed by the loss of their nearest and dearest, and by obstacles put in the way of their surviving relatives who wish to join them in Palestine. But when all is said and done their acts are criminal and must be condemned without question. ‘‘The board is profoundly disturbed by the renewed outrages in Palestine. It has already placed on record and does so again its unqualified abhorrence and condemnation of these acts of terrorism by irresponsible groups, whose criminal behaviour is contrary to all the teachings of Judaism and can only harm the interests of the Jewish people.” LONDON TALKS ON PALESTINE OPENING POSTPONED LONDON, January 20. The talks on Palestine, which were due to be resumed in London to-mor-row, will now begin on Thursday, as some of the Arab delegates have not yet arrived. •