Jews Assaulted and Robbed in Jerusalem by Groups of British Soldiers and Police

In what appeared to be well-organized rioting, British soldiers and plainclothes police late last night assaulted and robbed Jews on the streets of Jerusalem.

The rioters stopped pedestrians at random and asked if they were Jewish. If the answer was in the affirmative, they set upon their victims, beating them and robbing them of money and valuables.

The incidents occurred simultaneously in different parts of the city. When the persons assaulted called for help, the attackers fled to military armored cars which apparently were waiting for them.

The gratitude of the Jewish community for the assistance given to the stranded immigrants on Sirini by the Royal Air Force was expressed today by Isaac Ben Zvi, president of the Jewish National Council, during a visit to Air Commodore Dawson, commander of the RAF in the Levant.

Ben Zvi asked that his thanks be conveyed to the men of all ranks who engaged in the rescues operation. Dawson replied that the operation was “carried out benevolently and joyfully in accordance with the RAF tradition of rushing aid to all disasters.”