The Colonial Office declared in a statement today that it would maintain the rigid balance between Jewish and Arab forces in Palestine. Seven Jewish and seven Arab infantry companies have been authorized, of which five of each have already been formed. “Recruitment of these units has been on the basis of rigid equality of numbers, “the statement said.
It declared that recruitment of Jewish and Arab units was being steadily and satisfactorily maintained. Since the outbreak of the war many Jews and Arabs have enlisted in technical units like the Service Corps, the Engineers, the Signal Corps and the mixed Pioneer Corps, which, according to the Colonial Office, have done good work.
Many Palestinians have joined the Royal Air Force, the statement said, and recently Jews and Arabs expressed the desire to enlist in fighting units. Approximately 6,000 Jews and 3,000 Arabs are now serving with the British forces in the Middle East.
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