British Note To Israel

Chronicle (Levin), 10 January 1949, Page 5

British Note To Israel

Received Monday, 10.35 a.m. LONDON, Jan. 9. The text of a Br.itish memoran- [ dum handed to the Jewish representatives at the United Natiens stated that the British Government took a grave view of the events which had resulted in the loss of five British aireraft. "As a result of the unprovoked attacks by Jewish aireraft over Egyptian territory," the memorandum stated, the British Government had informed the Palestine mediator, Dr. Ralph Bunche, and wished to make a strong protest to the Jewish authorities at Tel Aviv. The Government reserved its rights, both with claims for compensation and in the matter of all possible subsequent action. Reuter says that the memorandum protesting against the shooting down of the five planes and an Air Ministry communique on the matter were presented to -representatives of the Jewish Foreign Office in Haifa by the British Consul, Mr. Cyril Marriott. An Israeli spokesman in.Tel Ayiv iater announeed that Britain's pfotest note had been handed back |q tho British Consul in Haifa, b^rcause the note was addressed tq the "Jewish authorities in Palestine" — a term which the Jews did not recognise. Dr. Bunche said in New York today that he had ordered ah on-the-spot inquiry into the shooting.down of ■ the British planes. ^e said: "Now that we have a cea^efire in effect, there is not supposed to be any military activity on either side, and that includes the British." * 1