RUSHING HELP TO PALESTINE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18354, 27 August 1929, Page 9

RUSHING HELP TO PALESTINE.

Serious Riots In Jerusalem. ARABS ATTACK JEWS. “Rush Help!” Behind this dramatic appeal from the Chief Rabbi at Jerusalem lies a story of Arab attacks which have placed Jews in the gravest danger and have caused a large number of casualties including the death of a British official. Britain, the Mandatory Power, has rushed troops to the scene. Two warships are speeding to the nearest possible point. PALESTINE JEWRY IN DANGER. OUTBREAK OF MOSLEM FURY. (UDlted Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, August 25. Grave danger faces the Jewish community in Jerusalem as a result of Arab assaults .yesterday and to-day. The Chief Rabbi for Palestine, Dr Kook, has cabled Dr Hertz, Chief Rabbi for England, as follows: “Palestine Jewry is in the greatest danger. Rush help!” A delayed and censored message from a Jewish agency states that a British immigration officer of the Palestine Government named Best was killed while repelling an assault on Givatshoul, a Jewish suburb of Jerusalem. Two Oxford undergraduate visitors were seriously injured, and three wounded Jews died in hospital. The riots spread to Hebron, where several were killed and injured. Arabs during the night burned the labour settlement of Gdudavadhs and looted suburbs of Jerusalem. FURTHER SERIOUS OUTBREAKS. GRAVE EXCESSES BY ARABS. (United Press Association—By ElsctrU Telegraph—Copyright.) JERUSALEM, August 25. Six hundred British troops have arrived from Egypt. The authorities in Egypt have decided to send an entire battalion for temporary duty. Serious outbreaks occurred at Hebron, where, according to the latest figures, 45 Jews were killed and 47 wounded. The killed Include two Rabbis. It is also rumoured that the wounded include a number of American citizens who were studying Jewish. There has been widespread looting in the new and fashionable Jewish suburb of Talpioth, where invaluable books and priceless manuscripts have been destroyed. The Jew colony situated in the Arab neighbourhood quitted their homes after which the Arabs looted and burned them. They also burned the synagogue. Arabs attacked the Jewish colony of Emekarazim, murdering an entire family of six. Foreign Consuls in Jerusalem have submitted protests to the Palestine Government, insisting that energetic steps be taken to restore order. The Government has warned the Grand Mufti that he will be held, responsible for further rioting. It has invited Arab leaders to a conference, simultaneously warning them to suppress the disorder.

[A message from Jerusalem yesterday said that nine Jews and six Arabs were killed and many wounded in street fighting that occurred as the outcome of the recent incidents at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. The wailing Wall was the cause of numerous clashes between religious sects in Palestine last year. The wall formed part of the western exterior of the ancient Jewish temple, and is holy to the Jewish community. It is also part of Haramal Sharil, and, as such, is holy to the Moslems. It is legally absolutely the property of the Moslem community. Last year, it was complained, the Jews made an innovation, for the celebration of the Day of Atonement on September 24, of a dividing screen and other articles. The authorities removed the screen, but expressed the determination of his Majesty's Government to maintain Jewish right of access to the pavement in front of the wall for the purpose of their devotions, and also to take to the wall those appurtenances they were allowed to take under the Turkish regime. The possibility of the Jews acquiring further privileges by arrangement with the Moslems was stated to be unlikely, public opinion in Palestine having removed the matter from the purely religious orbit to make it a political and national question.]

OTHER SIDE OF THE PICTURE. ZIONIST-FASCISTI BLAMED FOR RIOT. (United Press Association—By Electrls Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received August 26, 9.40 p.m.) LONDON, August 25. A local correspondent at Jerusalem, who was an eyewitness of the events leading up to the disturbances, blames the Zionist-Fascisti for precipitating a crisis by assembling at Jerusalem, on August 14th, which is a Jewish Fa3t Day, for the purpose of making a provocative demonstration in the heart of the sacred Moslem Wagf. Comparatively few real Jews, or those following the Jewish religion, appeared at the Wailing Wall, but the area was crowded with brawny young fascists from the colonies, who Jostled and attacked every Moslem or Christian suspected of mocking. The British police guard succeeded In

preventing incidents. Next day, however, the Fascists marched in procession to the Moslem Wagf, and demonstrated before the house of the Grand Mufti.

Moslem feeling was excited to the highest pitch. Two thousand Arabs descended on the Wailing Wall, and burned Jewish prayers and petitions. The next incident was the stabbing of a Jewish boy in a quarrel with Arab lads on the football field. The Zionists converted the funeral into a Nationalist anti-Moslem demonstration, and endeavoured to enter the Arab city, and lay the body at the Wailing Wall. The British police beat off the Jews with sticks. The whole story was exaggerated and spread throughout Palestine, arousing the Moslems to the wildest excitement. .BRITISH TROOPS DESPATCHED.. JEWS AROUSED BY ARAB EXCESSES. (UnltM Pres* Association—By juectrlo Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received August 26, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, August 26. At the request of the High Commissioner for Palestine, the War Office has instructed the Commander-in-Chief at Malta to despatch the Second Battalion of South Staffordshires to Palestine. The Arab attack has spread to the Valley of Jezreel and the Jewish colony at Beisan has been completely destroyed. One Jew was killed and twenty-one injured. The Polish Jews, especially in Warsaw, express humiliation at the alleged indifference and inactivity of the British authorities. A large number, chiefly Zionist students, marched in procession through the main streets of Warsaw and made a hostile demonstration outside the British legation until dispersed by the police. Jerusalem reports indicate that twelve Americans were killed and fifteen wounded during the week-end rioting. At least forty Arabs have been found dead. No measures for the evacuation of Americans from Palestine are being taken, but thirty residents are taking refuge in the Jerusalem consulate. The dead are all students at the Lovodka Talmudic School at Sebron. STRONG PROTEST IN AMERICA. PROMINENT JEWS DEMAND ACTION. (United Press Association—By Electrie Tel egraph—Cop y right.) (Received August 26, 8.45 5p.m.) NEW YORK, August 25. While it is indicated that the State Department desires to hold aloof from interference in the Palestine situation feeling that British control is adequate for the protection of American interests there, a number a prominent Jews have been aroused by the latest reports, which indicate that a number of American Jewish students have been killed in the uprising. An American Jewish Congress will to-morrow formulate a protest to the State Department against the wholly unwarranted attacks by Arabs upon Palestine Jews. To-night, Mr Emanuel Cellar, a member of Congress for New York, many of whose constituents have done much to further the Palestine movement, advised the Secretary (Mr Stimson) that he should not complacently view the situation, but should despatch the cruiser “Raleigh” to the scene, and make the strongest representation to the British Colonial Government for the protection of the Jews. Mr Cellar states: “American Jewry is deeply shocked, and demand action. The whole of the Palestine movement hangs in the balance, and the inaction of the State Department may be unforgivable. Some statement of policy must be forthcoming.” PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY. PALESTINE GOVERNMENT ACTIVE (United Preiv. Association—By Elfiotrl: Telegraph—Copyright.) An official communique issued by the Colonial Office states that the Government of Palestine is taking all necessary measures to protect life and property. The position at Nablus and Hebron is largely under control for the present.