Jerusalem was the scene of a pitched battle tonight between British troops and Jewish terrorists — the second such encounter in the last five days.
Sirens were sounded throughout the city as the skies above the Jewish quarter were lit by flares. Police making house to house searches exchanged shots with lurking terrorists. A curfew was clamped down on the entire area.
The incident began with the blasting of a taxi in the Street of the Prophets in the Jewish quarter, killing two riders. The explosion was followed by two other blasts in adjoining streets, one of which occurred near the Machne Yehuda police station. A hand grenade was thrown at Arab Legionnaires guarding the residence of Sir Evelyn Barker, British commander-in-chief, and reinforcements were rushed there.
At a late hour tonight, sporadic shooting could still be heard and police cars dashed through the streets. The extent of the damage or the number of casualties was not known.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
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.
