The Haganah and the Irgun Zvai Leumi today engaged in a bitter exchange over their underground radios, while the Stern Group posted angry placards in the streets of this city, following the first step in the Haganah’s campaign to crush the extremist groups.
Last night, Haganah speakers interrupted programs in theatres throughout Tel Aviv to appeal to the audiences not to contribute money to either of the dissident groups and urging them not to be coerced by threats. The Haganah radio, “Voice of Israel,” issued similar appeals. Simultaneously, the Irgun exploded pamphlet bombs in the streets, containing leaflets calling for support of their program.
The Irgun radio “Voice of Fighting Zion,” today attacked the Haganah for “treachery to the national cause” and criticized its incitement against the Irgun. It charged that “for years the Haganah denounced us to the police, now they raise public opinion against us.” The broadcaster appealed for contributions, stating that “Haganah’s budget is for treachery, while ours is to be used in the sacred fight against the enemy.”
The Stern Group placards, posted during the night, denounced Dr. Weizmann and David Ben Gurion, asserting that neither they nor any other Jewish representatives who may participate in the London conference has the right to speak to the Jewish people. “Their decisions will not be recognized,” the posters added. “Neither Attlee, Azzam Pasha nor Weizmann can decide the fate of Jewish Palestine.”
Meanwhile, five armed men, reported to be members of the Irgun, invaded the offices of the Exporters Association in Tel Aviv and escaped with $24,000 worth of diamonds.
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.
