An Arab gang leader was killed by police near Acre and a suspected plot against the life of Grand Mufti Haj Amin el Husseini failed while Arab bands increased their activity over the weekend.
In Haifa, an Arab was instantly killed and his wife died in a hospital after they had been attacked in their home by unidentified persons who threw their bodies near the Jewish-owned Egged bus station. Several Hauranis were later arrested.
Ismail Abdulchak, notorious Lebanese gangleader who operated on the Syrian-Palestine borders since the beginning of the Palestine disturbances of 1936, was killed in an engagement with Palestinian and Lebanese police near Acre.
A police communique said a party of Jews reported that 15 shots were fired at them late Saturday evening from both sides of the road near St. Stephen’s Gate. A few minutes later the Mufti passed with his bodyguard. Noticing two armed men standing by an automobile and fearing an attempt on his life, Husseini removed his turban while the bodyguard searched the car, but found no arms. Meanwhile, a large Arab crowd assembled and threatened to kill the Jews, but the Mufti shielded them.
The Jewish travelers said they had seen a man fire into the air after which fifteen shots were immediately fired at them. The Mufti’s statement to the police mentioned no shots but stressed that he saw two Jews standing by a parked car, one with a revolver. He later directed that the car be allowed to proceed without molestation, the Mufti stated.
The incident was described by Egyptian newspapers as a Jewish attempt on the Moslem leader’s life, it was reported here.
Attacks on police and Arab villages by bandits in various parts of Palestine were reported.
Representatives of Jewish colonies in Samaria visited Assistant District Commissioner Morris Bailey today demanding an increased number of supernumerary policemen for security, Mr. Bailey said the Government had decided to increase the number but district commissioners were trying to maintain the status quo.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
