A flat statement that there can be no “mutual understanding” between Arabs and Jews in Palestine as long as Zionist aims are not abandoned, is prominently featured today in the entire Arab press in Palestine. The statement, which is signed by Auni Abdul Hadi, prominent Arab Nationalist leader, declares:
“I have entirely disregarded the recently increased Zionist propaganda. But Dr. Weizmann’s and David Ben-Gurion’s statements compel me to say what I am confident expresses the opinion of all Arabs in Palestine and elsewhere. The Arabs have decided to oppose Zionism with all their strength. They do not want any mutual understanding with Zionist Jews before the latter absolutely abandon their policy. The Zionists must fully realize that the Arabs are defending their existence in Palestine and will not make the slightest concession of their rights even if the power of the entire world is assembled against them.”
The Jewish Agency today opened negotiations with the Palestine Government to secure increases in both the pay of Jewish soldiers and in the allowances given their families. At present the families of Palestinian soldiers receive only two-thirds the allowances given the families of British soldiers, while the soldier, himself, receives less than the British “Tommies.” It is understood that the British military authorities support the Agency’s demands.
In connection with these negotiations, it is pointed out in the press here today that of the 29,000 Palestinian men and women who have so far joined the services, some 21,000 are Jews. With the 7,000 men in full-time local defense formations, all under military control, and 1,500 from Palestine serving in other allied armies, a total of nearly 30,000 is reached, which is equivalent to a volunteer army of about 2,500,000 in the United Kingdom. This, it is emphasized, is remarkable because Palestinians are accepted only if they are fit for combat duties.
SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT OF PALESTINE’S INDUSTRY SPRANG UP DURING WAR
The request made yesterday by the Industrial Association, which asked the Palestine Government to secure new markets for Palestine industry in neighboring countries in order to avoid economic crisis, was highlighted today by a report in the press that seventy-five percent of Palestine’s industrial enterprises have been established since the war and that many of them will have to be liquidated now that war supplies are reaching the British armed forces in the Middle East directly from England.
The report reveals that about ninety percent of the capital invested in Palestine industry since 1940 is Jewish and that 77 percent of the labor is Jewish. It emphasizes that Army contracts totalled $5,000,000 in 1940 and reached $50,000,000 in 1942. Through the United Kingdom Commercial Corporation important supplies have also been sent to Turkey, including boots for the army, canvas for tents and heavy harbor equipment. Many of these articles are beginning to arrive in the Middle East directly from Britain now that Allied shipping is no longer seriously menaced in the Mediterranean by the Axis.
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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.
