Jewish Premier Says British Planned for Arabs to Conquer

Grey River Argus, 5 June 1948, Page 5

Jewish Premier Says British Planned for Arabs to Conquer

(Rec. 11..0). LONDON, June 4. The Israeli Prime Minister, Ben Gurion, told his Cabinet on Tnursaay night that Arab-British plans for the capture of Haifa by May 20, and of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv by May 25, have fallen into Jewish hancis. xiu added that the plans also provided for the proclamation of King Abdullah of Transjordan as King of all Palestine on May 25.. He said British authorities not only supplied Arabs with arms, but helped to work out Arab invasion plans and military tactics, Mr Ben Gurion, attacking the British authorities, said that the British' Consul warned the Jewish Mayor of Haifa that, if the Jews repeated thenair attack on Amman, the British Royal Air Force would shoot down any Jewish plane seen over Palestine. When Count Bernadotte, U.N.O. Mediator, arrived at Haifa from Amman on Thursday night, he began talks with Moshe Shertok, Israel Foreign Minister. He planned to go to Beirut to-day. The Israeli Government protested to him against the British decision that no Jews of military age would be permitted to leave Cyprus during the truce. It also protested to the U.N.O. Security Council and directly to the British Government. BRITAIN STOPS ARMS EXPORTS The British Board of Trade to-night announced a ban on the export of arms, aircraft and ammunition to the Middle East. In Damascus, the Syrian Premier, Mardam Bey, said he did not think the, Arab countries would be in an unfavourable position to counter the possible imposition of economic sanctions on them in the event of a fail'ure to conclude a truce. He announced that the Arab League’s Political Committee would assemble next week in Cairo to review the outcome of Count Bernadotte’s efforts.

JEWISH MIGRANTS ON CYPRUS MOSTLY TRAINED TO ARMS

LONDON, June 3.

A Foreign Office spokesman said in Lonaon mat no military age Jews would be permitted to leave Cyprus during tne truce, but women, children, men with pnysical deieecs and older men woulu oe allowed to go to Palestine. The spokesman said that Britain had definite evidence tnac most of the 24,U0P immigrants detained on Cyprus had already had military or part-military training. Britain had decided to interpiet the phrase “fighting personnel” in the ■security Council’s latest cease-nre resolution in the broader sense than that oi -‘armed forces”. Britain meant by -‘fighting personnel” all capable oi Being used for fighting. Britain's decision had been discussed with other Governments. The British decision follows tne paragraph in the Security Council's resolution tailing on all Governments to "undertake not to introduce fighting person- ■ nel into Palestine, Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Transjordan or Yemen during the cease-fire”. The British decision on Cyprus migrants was made last night. Consequently it could not be announced at tne Security Council meeting then. The decision may have an important effect on the prospects for the Palestine truce becoming operative. Britain has declared in ravour of the Arab contention that Israel should - not continue to receive immigrants oi , all age groups, whether or not these include jews who had military training in, European displaced persons camps. ‘ . Israel, when accepting the ceasefire proposals on certain . conditions, specifically reserved the right to admit immigrants of all age groups. British military sources m Haifa said that 249 Jewish immigrants, who arrived on June 1, were not ailowed to land in port. They weie disembarked outside by tugs and lighters. Lieutenant-General MacMillan said that 12 Jewish prisoners in custody will be released before the departure of the last British troops from Palestine. RED CROSS PROBLEM In Jerusalem, the Red Cross delegation rejected an ultimatum by the Stern Gang to the effect that the Gang would no longer respect the Red Cross flag, “if Arabs continue to be protected in International Red Cross headquarters by to-mororyz afternoon”. The ultimatum said three Stern Gang memoers guarding the area were/ wounded by shots from tne building. The Red Cross said it would not be able to carry on without its Arab staff.