Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Arab Bandits Estimated at 1,500; Get $25 Monthly

December 5, 1937
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

ARAB TERRORIST BANDS IN PALESTINE TOTAL 1,500 MEN, MOSTLY IMPORTED FROM SYRIA, AND ARE MAINTAINED AT A COST OF $10,000 A MONTH, ASIDE FROM SETTLEMENTS OF MONEY MADE ON FAMILIES OF BANDITS WHO ARE KILLED, ACCORDING TO RELIABLE ESTIMATES.

BANDITS ARE PAID $25 A MONTH, AND THE “PETTY OFFICERS” RECEIVE $30 TO $40. THE FINANCES ARE MAINTAINED PARTLY BY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PALESTINIAN ARABS, PARTLY FROM ARABS IN SURROUNDING COUNTRIES, BUT THERE IS LITTLE DOUBT THAT A LARGE PROPORTION MUST COME FROM SOME SECRET SOURCE.

THE BAND WAS ORIGINALLY ESTABLISHED IN SYRIA IN PREPARATION FOR AN UPRISING AGAINST THE FRENCH AUTHORITIES, WHICH WAS AVERTED BY THE FRANCO-SYRIAN AGREEMENT. ON THE NIGHT OF OCT. 14 THIS FORCE ATTEMPTED TO CROSS THE PALESTINE BORDER BUT WAS DRIVEN OFF BY A REINFORCED FRONTIER PATROL. THE BANDITS THEN SUCCESSFULLY NEGOTIATED THE BORDER THROUGH TRANSJORDAN. THEY MAINTAIN THEIR COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH TRANSJORDAN.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement