Not Recruiting Australians

Northern Advocate, 7 May 1948, Page 7

Not Recruiting Australians

A Canberra message says the Jewish Agency is not recruiting Australian ex-servicemen for action with the Jewish forces in Palestine. This was stated by Mr 11. B. Newman. president of the Zionist Federation of Australia and New Zealand, who added that no request for recruitment of Australians had been made by Zionists in Palestine. Australians, both Jew and Gentile, had volunteered, but none had been enlisted.

A spokesman of another Jewish organisation in Sydney, said: “There are enough young Tfews in Palestine and Cyprus and awaiting transport at European ports. to defeat the Arabs. “We do not need Australians.” NO KNOWLEDGE The leader of the Jewish community in Wellington stated today that they had no knowledge of the offers alleged to have been made. The leadei's, interviewed, said they were shocked at such a suggestion and disclaimed, on behalf of the Jewish organisation they represented, any association with the alleged offei'S. Nor, to the knowledge of Jewish leaders in Wellington, would their organisations countenance such a move. One leader said he believed that a couple ol’ people had approached the local Zionist Society with offei’S to fight for the Jews in Palestine, but the offers had been declined. TRUST FUND

The society bad a fund in trust for lelief of hardship among Palestinian Jews, but there was no possibility that such funds were being diverted for the purpose of sending either volunteer fighters or armed forces instructors to Palestine.

Similar disclaimers at the alleged offers were given by other prominent members of Jewish organisations.

It was stated that no such offers could be made with any authority or approval from Wellington Jewry.