ACTION AGAINST TERRORISTS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25091, 24 January 1947, Page 7

ACTION AGAINST TERRORISTS

Irgun Zvai Leumi’s Statement "WAR WILL FOLLOW OPPOSITION” (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 22. “The Jewish National Council’s threat to stop our operations means civil war in Palestine,” said a woman announcer on Irgun Zvai Leumi’s radio. She warned the Jewish community that a ‘‘fully-fledged fratricidal war” would follow any attempt to oppose Irgun Zvai Leumi. The radio asserted that the Haganah two years ago co-operated with the British against Irgun Zvai Leumi, which had not protested because it hoped for combatant unity. “The Haganah is now trying to double cross.” The influential Anglo-Jewish Association at its annual meeting in London adopted a resolution deploring the “wicked and senseless outrages which have occurred in Palestine” and regretting the decision of the Jewish Agency to refuse to participate in the proposed talks on Palestine. The president of the association, Mr Leonard Stein, said in his address that it was tragic that the Jewish national home dedicated to the lofty, ideals of the early pioneers should be ‘‘profaned by murderous outrages which dishonour the Jewish name.” He also condemned the activities of some American Zionists whom he charged with endeavouring to estrange the British people—“of all the nations the most tolerant and steadfast friends of the Jews”—by insolent threats and hysterical abuse. Terrorist outrages in Palestine last year caused damage amounting to £600,000, said the Chief Secretary of the Palestine Government (Sir Henry Gurney) in Jerusalem. He added: “Many people in Palestine have no schools to go to, nor health services because they indulged in the destruc-, tion of their own facilities.” Questions in Commons Replying to questions in the House of Commons, the Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr A. Creech Jones) said that 73 British subjects—ls Palestine policemen, 45 members of the British forces, and 13 civilians—were murdered in Palestine last year. The authorities were unable to convict the culprits of these murders because of the difficulty in collecting exact information through lack of co-operation from the Jewish community. He was satisfied that the military authorities had all the necessary powers to protect the lives of British subjects from terrorist activities. Mr Creech Jones answered a barrage of questions from both sides of the House on the circumstances of the Palestine floggings. He said, in answer to a question whether the troops had been commended for their forbearance and restraint in the face Of widespread provocation, that the Government had repeatedly expressed its appreciation. He asked for notice on the question of whether the soldiers concerned would be given any compensation. It is reported from Jerusalem that the law will punish by flogging in future only youths of 16 and under, whereas at present youths up to 18 are liable.