London Paper Says British Government Declined Jewish Army Proposal

A report that the British government has disapproved of the demand for the establishment of a Jewish Army published in today’s Daily Sketch, provoked a denial from the New Zionist Organization, while the Executive of the Jewish Agency refused to make any comment.

“The British government”, the Daily Sketch said, “declined to form a Jewish national army for which leading Jewish interests are pressing. The Government gave as its grounds that it cannot allow sectional religious interests in the army. The War Office is of the opinion that Zionists must join the ordinary British regiments. The Jews want a Jewish army, largely for work in Palestine in order to give them a bigger stake in the country after the war”.

While the Executive of the Jewish Agency declined to make any comment on the article, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency understands that the Executive is continually watching the situation in Palestine and the Middle East and is in constant contact with the authorities in London and in Jerusalem with regard to the problems arising out of the recent political developments in that part of the world.

The New Zionist Organization commenting on the article said: “It is not true to say that the British government declined the proposal to form a Jewish army. The government is however continually offering objections.”