An explanation of the banning of the American-made film “Sword in the Desert” by the London County Council last week-end, following two days of fascist demonstrations and hooliganism against it, was made today at a meeting of the Council.
Victor Mishcon, chairman of the Council’s Public Control Committee, which halted showings of the film about Palestine, explained that he had given the order following receipt of a message from the Home Office that the police had learned that the fascists planned a demonstration at the next showing of the film which might invoke risk of loss of life and against which the police were not prepared to act. Mr. Mishcon, a well-known Zionist leader, called on the Council to take action to prevent the further hooliganism.
The role of the Home Office in the banning of the film was strongly criticized tonight by the Evening Standard which charged that the Office had capitulated in the face of threats of violence. The paper also said that the ban “represents a great victory for the dark and totalitarian forces.”
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.
