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Britain Bars Jew As Mayor of Jerusalem

June 23, 1939
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Appointment of a Jewish mayor in Jerusalem, demanded on the grounds that Jews comprise two-thirds of the city’s population and contribute three fourths of the municipal revenue, has been refused, it was declared today by Dominions Secretary Sir Thomas Inskip in a written statement on behalf of Colonial Secretary Malcolm MacDonald. Sir Thomas declared that it was “in the public interest” that the present Moslem Mayor of Jerusalem continue in office until expiration of the Municipal Council term in January, 1940.

Replying to a query by Col. Josiah Wedgwood, Labor M.P., on attacks upon Jews by Britons in civilian dress, Sir Thomas declared a thorough investigation by the High Commissioner had shown that British troops and police were not concerned in nine cases of alleged unprovoked assault that had been reported.

Leading British, Arab and Jewish Laborites, Socialists and intellectuals joined today in formation of a committee to promote better Arab-Jewish relations in Palestine. The committee, to be known as the “Socialist Committee for Jewish-Arab Solidarity and Workers’ Unity in Palestine,” is headed by James Maxton, Independent Labor M.P., as chairman. Formation of the group followed an appeal issued last May 25 by George Bernard Shaw, Augustus John, Sir Peter Chalmers and others. A conference is planned for Palestine later in the year to extend common Jewish-Arab and Socialist action.

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