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Two Jewish Youths Sentenced to Death by British Military Court in Palestine

June 14, 1946
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Joseph Simkhon, aged 19, and Itzchak Michael Azbel, aged 24, were sentenced to death by a British military court here today on the charge of participating in a raid by an armed Jewish group on the Sarafand camp, the biggest army base in Palestine.

The verdict is subject to confirmation by the general officer in command. The two were also charged with participating in the seizure of a large quantity of ammunition during the raid and with firing at British soldiers. The raid took place on March 6.

The Irgun Zvai Leumi, Jewish extremist underground group, tonight acknowledged responsibility for the attacks last Monday on three passenger trains in the Lydda district. Broadcasting in Hebrew, French, English and Russian over the secret radio “Voice of Fighting Zion,” the announcer declared that the Irgun will prevent Palestine from becoming a British base.

John V. Shaw, Chief Secretary of the Palestine Government, told a press conference today that the censorship imposed by the Government on reports concerning the escape of the ex-Mufti was “in the interests of both the Jewish and Arab communities.”

The Damascus newspaper “Al Wahda El Arabia” today said that the Mufti “arrived in Damascus” Tuesday night and as now staying in the city “at the home of a high personality.” It added he was “safe and under protection.”

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