Uncertainty seems to prevail in regard to the number of Palestine Jews who, under the leadership of the ultra-Orthodox Agudath Israel, went on record as favoring separate Communities, independent of the Vaad Leumi, National Council of Palestine Jews, which is recognized under the Palestine Communities Ordinance as the official representative of Palestine Jewry.
The registration closed yesterday. The headquarters of the Jerusalem Agudath Israel informed the Jewish Telegraphic Agency correspondent that the original figure of 7,000 for the separatists was inaccurate and that 16,205 had indicated their approval of the Agudah program. According to the Agudath Israel 10,917 Jews in Jerusalem registered for separate communities, 1,766 in Tiberias. 1,195 in Tel Aviv, 823 in Safed, 490 in Haifa and 533 in Petach Tikvah.
When informed of the contention of the Agudath Israel, the Vaad Leumi stated that these figures must be thoroughly examined, because they undoubtedly contain the names of many minors and absentees.
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