Palestine Arabs Living in Honduras Are Threatened with Deportation

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency Mail Service)

Palestine Arabs resident in Honduras are threatened with deportation, according to advices received here by the Arab paper, “Falastin,” from Honduras.

In a letter from the Palestinian Arab community in Honduras, it is stated that the press there is conducting an agitation against them, calling them “Black Slaves.” The Legislative Council in Honduras, which is to meet at the beginning of next year, is to bring in a bill to compel the Palestinians to leave Honduras, and their lives are in danger, they state. A deputation interceded with the British Consul who promised to look into the matter, but he regretted that he had no instructions to safeguard the rights of Palestinians. After long negotiations, he promised to consult with the Honduras authorities. The Press in the meanwhile continued its attacks, and after some time, the British Consul replied he could do nothing in the matter, the letter states.

The Palestinians in Honduras therefore appeal to the Palestine Government from whom their aid must come. They call for “the salvation that must come from Allah through the British lion.”

The question of the Palestine Arabs in Honduras has been brought up before the Palestine Government several times, the Palestine Arab Executive urging the Government to give British Consular protection to Palestinians in Honduras and elsewhere abroad. Recently, Mr. Mills, the Acting Chief Secretary to the Palestine Government, received a deputation headed by Musa Kazem Pasha, the President of the Palestine Arab Executive, who urged the same proposal. Mr. Mills replied that the Palestine Citizenship Order applies in this regard and that the Palestinians abroad must first become Palestinian citizens before they can obtain British protection. On the proposal of the deputation that in the case of Palestinians abroad, the time for opting for Palestinians nationality should be extended, the Acting Chief Secretary suggested that a memorandum be submitted to the Colonial Office through the High Commissioner.