Neither riots nor the Arab general strike, now in its third week in Palestine, will force the British Government to accede to Arab demands for cessation of Jewish immigration to the Holy Land, Colonial Secretary J. H. Thomas told the House of Commons today.
Reviewing the situation, in reply to a query by Lieut. Commander R. J. Fletcher, Laborite, Mr. Thomas said the strike was more general now than it was a week ago and would possibly “lead to further disorders.”
He declared, however, that the Government would not be deflected from its policy on Palestine “by riots or by threats of any kind and there is no question of the Government stopping Jewish immigration in consequence of the strike.”
Referring to the invitation he has extended to Arab leaders to come to London to state their case, Mr. Thomas expressed the belief that they will realize, if they adopt that procedure, that they will receive a full and an impartial hearing.
The Colonial Secretary declared that the situation in Palestine remains generally quiet, although there have been some isolated incidents. The strike, he said, has lasted for two weeks despite heavy losses to Arab merchants and transport workers. He added that it “is more general now than a week ago and there’s a possibility the strike may lead to further disorders.”
Mr. Thomas said the High Commissioner was taking legal measures against the members of the Arab strike committee.
Discussing the causes of the disorders, which since their outbreak on April 19 in Jaffa have caused twenty Jewish and six Arab deaths, Mr. Thomas said:
“I believe the underlying cause of the disturbances is Arab discontent. I understand the Arabs have threatened to continue the strike until Jewish immigration is stopped.” Mr. Thomas then continued with the statement that riots and threats would not deflect the Government’s policy on Palestine.
Replying to a question by H. Graham-White, Liberal, on the extent to which Italian or other foreign propaganda was responsible for the disturbances, Mr. Thomas said there was no information showing they were caused by propaganda from outside sources.
A sharp exchange occurred between Mr. Thomas and Commander O. Locker-Lampson, Conservative, when the latter asked if the riots were subsidized by Germany. Mr. Thomas repeated his previous assertion that he had no information on this score adding it was necessary to emphasize that despite all threats the High Commissioner intends to maintain law and order. Here Commander Locker-Lampson ironically interjected: “What is this mysterious law and order?” To which Mr. Thomas retorted:
“In this case I understand it is to prevent people from hiding behind bushes in the dark and throwing stones and even knifing people. That has got to be put down.”
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