Five hundred and twenty Arabs and Jews have already been tried by the courts of Palestine and given varied sentences in connection with the recent disturbances, according to an estimate of the Arab press.
According to these figures, up to September 19, 374 Arabs and 39 Jews were given prison sentences ranging from one to twelve months, 85 Arabs and 14 Jews were committed to the District Court, and 7 Arabs and 1 Jew are awaiting trial on criminal charges. Official figures are not available.
Thirty-three Jews who were arrested in the flour mill at Haifa during the disturbances in the port city, were released for lack of evidence against them. They had been charged by the police with attempts at premeditated murder.
The body of an Arab was found outside of the flour mill after the advancing mob was repulsed. The police alleged that three firearms were in the building, but were unable to produce them.
CAUGHT WITH GOODS, LOOTERS OFFER LAME EXCUSES
Amusing incidents are enacted in the courts when many Arabs attempt to explain how they came in possession of loot. An Arab house-owner at
Haifa, in whose house a large quantity of loot was discovered, including furniture taken from Jewish houses, was sentenced to five years imprisonment. The accused pleaded that he was unaware where the goods came from.
The Mukhtar of Dirabysin, who was sentenced to four months imprisonment by the District Court of Jaffa, was found guilty of having been in possession of a mule stolen from the Jewish colony Hulda. Pleading innocence, the Mukhtar said that it is true he was in possession of the mule, but “the aeroplanes above and the armored cars below” prevented him from returning the mule. He further said that he knew the authorities were looking for the animal, but he hid it, fearing it might “kick the children” if allowed to be loose.
The Mukhtar’s aids were sentenced to three months imprisonment each.
An Arab from the village Walajah, who was found in possession of phylacteries, will be sentenced Thursday.
INSTIGATORS GET LIGHT SENTENCES
Eleven Arabs of Acre, who were found guilty of instigation to riot, were given light sentences ranging from a £5 fine and two months imprisonment.
An Arab who was found with a revolver in a Jewish house outside of Ness Ziona was sentenced to eighteen months imprisonment. Another found carrying a hand grenade outside the Kalendia aerodrome was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment. Three young Arabs of Tul Kerem, charged with arranging a demonstration without permission, were fined £2 each. Their counsel, consisting of three prominent Arab lawyers, declared they will appeal.
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