J. D. B. News Letter

Efforts to obtain compensation for the Jewish victims of the recent disturbances in Aden and raise the status of the Jewish population there were made by Bentob Messa, President of the Young Men’s Hebrew Association during a recent visit to London.

Fears that the anti-Jewish disturbances might break out again in Aden at any time and spread to neighboring countries, affecting tens of thousands of Jews, were expressed by Mr. Messa in an interview with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. The recent attacks were not spontaneous, he declared, but were carefully planned in advance. They were launched as systematically as if the rioters were working to a time-table. Each attack began at a definite hour, and finished with the same precision, only to be followed, after a period of calm, by a renewed outbreak, which ended and began in the same manner. Is it not reasonable to say, Mr. Messa asked, that after the first attack the police, which, with the exception of a few officials are entirely composed of Moslems, should have taken adequate measures to prevent any further disturbances? The Arabs, however, were allowed to return again and again to the attack. One is led to the inevitable conclusion that, from the very beginning, insufficient steps were taken to protect the life and property of the Jews, and that the rioters were only quelled when other communities of Aden, apart from the Jews, were also threatened with attack and the looting of their property.

Our claim for compensation is, for the present, made not for personal injury, but for actual losses sustained as a result of the looting of our shops, Mr. Messa continued. Some of the goods have already been traced to the possession of Arabs. It is difficult to understand how the authorities can maintain that this case of spoliation amounts only to ordinary theft, as it was carried out by the rioters in broad daylight in the presence of the police.

Mr. Messa then referred to the suppression by the censor of telegrams sent by the Jews of Aden to Jewish bodies abroad, including a telegram which was sent to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency by its local correspondent. If the transmission of such telegrams is prohibited in the future, he asked, what will be our fate if Arab atrocities against Jews recur?

Referring to the pending publication of an official report of an inquiry that has been made in connection with the disturbances, Mr. Messa pointed out that no Jewish leaders were asked to give evidence before the authorities. The Jews had no opportunities of calling witnesses to prove their case, and for the majority of the information relating to the riots the Commandant of the Police, who is an Englishman and does not speak Arabic, had to rely on the Moslem Police Inspector, who is known to be unfriendly to the Jews. It is expected, therefor, that the report of the inquiry will not give a very true or exact picture of the occurrences.

Speaking of the attitude of the British administration of Aden towards the Jews, Mr. Messa pointed out that, although many Jews are employed by reputable foreign firms and consulates, not a single Jew occupies any post in Government offices or municipal institutions, and this in spite of the fact that a large proportion of the local rates are being paid by Jews. The Jews of Aden are downtrodden, insulted and treated with contempt, Mr. Messa concluded, appealing to the Jews outside Aden to come to the help of their Aden brethren.