The Palestine Government was sharply criticized today by Vladimir Jabotinsky, president of the New Zionist Organization and a leader of the Jewish Legion which helped conquer Palestine for the British, for failure to take measures to prevent the current disturbances.
Speaking at a conference of newspapermen, Mr. Jabotinsky charged the Government with dilatory tactics after the disturbances had started.
Condemning the authorities for their failure to make possible Jewish self-defense, Mr. Jabotinsky said:
“The proper and indispensable course was the establishment of legalized Jewish self defense, fully trained and equipped. Existence of such a body would put the Palestine Government in a position of being able to carry out the policy of the Balfour Declaration and the mandate without fear of Arab intimidation and without fear that Arab opposition might involve the imperial Government in heavy military expenditure.”
Mr. Jabotinsky attacked the proposal to send a Royal Commission to investigate the disorders as a concession to Arab violence and intimidation and an effort to satisfy the Arabs. He warned that Jews must view the scheme with the gravest apprehension.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.