MASSACRE OF ARABS ALLEGED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22619, 23 April 1948, Page 5

MASSACRE OF ARABS ALLEGED

SAVAGE ALL-NIGHT BATTLE

TRANSJORDAN LEGION ON BORDER (N.Z.P. A.—Reuter—Copyright.) (11.30 a.m.) JERUSALEM, April 22. After an all-night battle with the Arabs, Jewish forces virtually seized control of Haifa following the withdrawal of the British troops from all parts of the city except the port area.

'* The Arabs sued for peace, asking the British military authorities to mediate The Arab spokesman said ; “It was a massacre. The Jews shot many Arab women and children as they, attempted to floe • into the British-controlled port area.” The Jewish Haganah spokesman denied the accusation. [ At the British Army's request, the [ Haganah ordered a cease-fire shortly , after noon. The Haganah spokesman said that four Jews were killed and 30 j wounded. He estimated that not more than 20 Arabs were killed. > During the battle mortar shelling set [ alight to buildings in the port area and , British troops occupied defensive posi- > tions. In Jerusalem, all the British security forces were placed on the alert as the ’ news of the Haifa battle arrived in i case the Haganah planned a similar drive in Jerusalem. Armed Arabs held up the staff of , Barclay’s Bank in Jerusalem and stole £13,000. ‘ Battles are now being fought all over 1 Palestine as Jews and Arabs attempt 5 to take over towns and vantage points which have been evacuated by the de--1 parting British forces. Troops of the Transjordan Arab ' Legion are massing along the eastern c bank of the Jordan and it is thought 5 likely they will enter Palestine soon. f The Arabs bitterly 'criticise the British failure to intervene in the new out--1 break of violence. ') The Palestine Government told Brit- ■ isn subjects, who are planning to leave ' Palestine, to arrange to leave by April ! 30 as no transport or escort facilities would be available after that date.