Colonial Secretary George Hall was urged today by the Agudas Israel and the Board of Deputies of British Jews to instruct High Commissioner Sir Alan Cunningham to commute the death sentences imposed by a military court two weeks age on 18 Jewish youths charged with participating in an attack on the Haifa railway yards in June.
While condemning terrorism, the Agudah pointed out in a letter to Hall that the youths were misled by their desire to aid the remnants of European Jewry. The note added that while discussions are taking place between Britain and the Jews concerning Palestine’s future, Jews throughout the world would appreciate mitigation of the sentences, whose execution would serve only to worsen an already difficult situation.
The Board of Deputies in appealing for the commutation of the death sentences, said that “we are convinced such action would produce a better atmosphere for a peaceful settlement of the Palestine problem.”
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.
