The Irgun Zvai Leumi today confirmed reports that it had agreed to a temporary truce in its “war” against British forces in Palestine, in a letter sent to the Information Office of the Palestine Government. The letter arrived in a franked government envelope.
No reason for the truce was given, but the letter asked the Information Office to announce the news in the form of a communique to the press. This request was ignored.
Leaders of the world Zionist executive have been hoping that the dissident groups would declare a truce and enable the Jews to negotiate with Britain in a peaceful atmosphere. David Ben Gurion’s return to Palestine today following his talks with Colonial Minister Arthur Creech-Jonas in London strengthened the feeling in the Jewish community that the British Government realizes the necessity of finding a final solution in Palestine.
PALESTINE ARABS LIKELY TO ATTEND LONDON CONFERENCE
The Palestine Government today announced officially that the Palestine Arab Higher Committee has been invited to send a delegation to the London Conference. Immediately after the announcement, the Committee held a meeting in Jerusalem at which it was virtually decided to accept the bid. Although certain reservations were made, everything points to the fact that it will be accepted when the Committee meets again on Sunday. Jamal Husseini, acting chairman of the Committee, declared this evening that since the Committee as a whole had been invited, he sees no further obstacle to participation.
Arab circles are inclined to interpret the British invitation as including the ex-Mufti of Jerusalem who is nominally the Committee chairman. Government circles, however, pointed out that the ex-Mufti’s membership on the Committee is not recognized by the Palestine Government and that he is persona non grate in the country.
At its recent session in Cairo, the Arab League council rejected a suggestion by the Higher Committee that the League approach the British Government and the Palestine authorities and propose that the Mufti be allowed to re-enter Palestine and that he be permitted to carry on his political activities without restraint.
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