Bernadotte Favoured Recognising a Jewish State

Grey River Argus, 22 September 1948, Page 5

Bernadotte Favoured Recognising a Jewish State

LONDON, Sept 20.

In his last report to the U.N.O. on Palestine, the late Count Bernadotte said the Arab States would have either to resign themselves to a Jewish State or defy U.N.O. He .stated: —•

“I am convinced that it is possible to formulate a plan which’,, if firmly approved and strongly backed by the United Nations General Assembly, would not be forcibly resisted by either side. Frontiers between Jews and Arabs should be fixed by U.N.O, in the absence of agreement. U.N.O. Conciliation Commission should deal with population exchanges on lhe basis of adequate compensation. I am convinced that neither side really wishes to resume the fighting, but neither side seems prepared, openly or voluntarily, to surrender its position or make fundamental concessions. Had the war continued, it would most likely have ended in a stalemate which amounted to,a Jewish victory. A Jewish State established under the cloak of United Nations’ authority can be eliminated only by force. Therefore the Arab States must resign themselves to the presence of a Jewish State or pursue the reckless course of defying the United Nations.”

He advocated a pronouncement formally ending Palestine hostilities, either by mutual agreement of both parties, or, failing that, by the United Nations. The indefinite truce should be superseded by a formal peace.

All parties should fully respect the right of unimpeded access to Jerusalem by road, rail or air. The authorities should fully guarantee and respect the political, economic social and religious rights of the Arabs in Jewish territory and Jews in Arab territory.

He stressed 'the urgency of the problem af 360,000 Arab and 7000 Jewish refugees, many of whom were without the basic necessities of life.

The report will be one of the most urgent problems facing the United Nations General Assembly which will open tomorrow.

Mr Churchill's Concern at Assassination

(Rec 9.45) LONDON, Sept 21. Mr Churchill has cut short his holiday in France. He is flying to Britain to-day. The Daily Mail's Paris correspondent said that a member of Mr Churchill’s party said that the reason for his return was the world situation and, particularly because of Count Bernadotte’s assassmation.

The Jewish Irgun Zvai Leumi has ceased to exist, as a military organisation. It will be known as the Huruth (He.bru for freedom) political party.

EGYPTIAN FEELING

(Rec. 11.14) CAIR'O, Sept. 21. The Egyptian Press gives prominence to Count Bernadotte’s Palestine report. The pro-Government paper “Allassass” says: “Arab circles are quite shocked at the late mediator’s assumption that the truce has prevented the Jews from dominating the whole of Palestine. By his assumption Count Bernadotte was aiming to weaken the Arab morale and to make them accept his so-called idealism.”

The “Almisry” says: “It is regrettable that Count Bernadotte ended his life’s work with such a report, which is full of errors, based on false Israeli Action Against Terrorists (Rec. 10.10). LONDON, Sept. 21. A few hours after the Israeli Government declared the Stern Gang an illegal organisation, the InspectorGeneral of the Israeli Police signed detention orders against three hundred members of the Gang, including its political adviser Israel Sheib. Pictures of. wanted men have been circulated to all police stations. The Stern Gang groups newspaper “Miv-rak-Telegram” is to be closed down, and the Gang’s property, including several buildings, to be used as barracks. The Gangs headquarters and clubs are to be confiscated. Military courts, each of three men, will try cases under the Government’s new regulations foi' the prevention of terrorism, and there is no appeal, although the Defence Minister may review the cases. The correspondent adds that the new regulations will be applied against some of the Stern Gang suspects now in custody. The Israeli Government in fixing penalties for terrorists made terrorism illegal and the penalties retroactive to May 15. The Government will declare, and the military courts confirm, which groups are terrorist. The property of outlawed organisations shall be forfeited. There will be no appeal to civil courts. The United States Consul-General, Mr John Macdonald is reported to be next on the Stern- Gang’s list foi' assassination.

The Israeli Army cont’nues to round up gang members. It arrested another 20 to-day. Israeli Government .regulations to prevent terrorism, provide, first, five to 20. years’ imprisonment for people taking an active part in the terrorist acts; secondly, from one to five years’ imprisonment for membership of terrorist dragnisations and up to three years’ imprisonment or £lOOO fine, or both, for supporting such organisations. Commander Menahem Beigin dissolved the underground Jerusalem branch of the movement. Religious Advocacy of Peace (Rec. 10.20) LONDON, Sept. 21. The Executive Committee of the Council of Christians and Jews has issued a statement deploring Count and Arab leadership to redouble the Bernadotte’s assassination, urging th e United Nations and the. Jewish efforts to achieve peace in Palestine.