Nearly 3,000 supporters of the left-wing Mapam Party and Communists demonstrated here tonight in Mograbi Square against the visit to Israel of Gen. Sir Brian Robertson, Commander-in-Chief of British forces in the Middle East. They listened quietly while Samuel Mikunis, Communist member of the Knesset, declared that Israelis will “openly revolt” against any attempt to incorporate the Jewish state into the Western Powers line-up.
Earlier, 16 Communists were arrested in demonstrations staged by the so-called “Israel Peace Committee” against Gen. Robertson’s visit. Others were rounded up as they distributed leaflets urging the populace to demonstrate. The demonstrators hung a huge effigy of the British general in Allenby Street, leading into the square, and set it ablaze. Other effigies, representing President Truman and Gen. Doublas A. MacArthur were hung.
Gen. Robertson was received by President Chaim Weizmann this afternoon for 45 minutes. Michael Comay, head of the Commonwealth Division of the Israel Foreign Ministry, was present. The British commander visited Israel Army camps this morning and witnessed training exercises. He had lunch with Israeli Chief of Staff Brig. Uigal Yadin and General Staff officers.
While Israel leaders are very willing to talk over defense measures with the British commander and weigh the implications, they will emphasize the fact that regional security planning cannot be relied upon so long as the Arab states refuse to cooperate towards settlement of issues outstanding between them and Israel.
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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.
