High Commissioner Sir Alan Cunningham today informed the Jewish Agency that the Palestine Government is not planning to impose martial law at present.
The assurance was given to Goldie Meirson, chairman of the political department of the Jewish Agency in Jerusalem, and Eliezer Kaplan, Agency treasurer, who were called to Government House, the High Commissioner’s residence, early this afternoon. Sir Alan told them that the recent requisitioning of Jewish buildings and the establishment in Jerusalem and other cities of heavily guarded government compounds were purely security measures, so that the government would be prepared for every eventuality.
Although no substitution for the present civil administration was contemplated, the situation created by terrorist activities made it imperative that certain preparations be taken, the High Commissioner added. He expressed regret at the inconvenience caused so many individuals as a result of the requisitioning of sections of Jerusalem, but said that the government was not responsible. He appealed to the Jewish community to remain calm while urgent efforts are being made to find a solution to the Palestine problem.
Meanwhile, it was learned that the Jewish Agency’s reply to the ultimatum handed it last Monday by Chief Secretary Henry L. Gurney will be given to the government either tonight or tomorrow morning. Members of the Agency and Jewish National Council executives were in conference during the week-end drafting the reply. The Agency met all day today to discuss the situation here and the British plan handed to Jewish representatives in London Friday by Foreign Minister Bevin. The text of the British proposals are being printed by the government printing office here and will be made public shortly.
JERUSALEM LIFE DISRUPTED BY ESTABLISHMENT OF SECURITY ZONES
Security restrictions in the four “protected areas” of Jerusalem where British civilians, police and military personnel are now residing, which went into effect yesterday, have disrupted the normal life of the city. No one is permitted to enter or leave the security zones without a pass bearing his photo, but the passes have not yet been issued and it is estimated that 10,000 will be required.
All personnel working outside the areas must be ##corted to and from their jobs by armed guards. Trucks will travel with armed guards and no military vehicles will be permitted to move after dark. British soldiers have been confined to barracks during off-duty hours and have been banned from cinemas, cafes and bars. Rail service between Jerusalem and Lydda and Jaffa will be suspended as of Tuesday.Dov Gruner’s lawyer, Max Kritzman, today cabled to former Senator Guy M. Gillette, president of the American League for a Free Palestine, asking him to appeal to the U.N. Security Council, through a member state, for U.N. intervention on behalf of Gruner. Kritzman cited as a precedent the appeal made yesterday by U.N. Secretary-General Trygve Lie to the Greek Government to postpone the execution of 11 Greek guerrillas. Kritzman said that since Palestine was a mandated territory under international authority the U.N. had ample grounds to make such a plea.
Mrs. Helen Friedman, Gruner’s sister, who is flying here from New York, has been delayed by bad weather. It is hoped that she will arrive here from Cairo some time this evening.
Prior to the statement on martial law by the High Commissioner, the Haganah radio this morning, discussing the possibility of military rule, said that there can be no regime set up in this country which will succeed in destroying the Jewish nation’s will to settle in Palestine and bring in legal and illegal immigrants.
The Irgun radio tonight called for unity of all Jewish resistance forces. It said that “the enemy’s efforts to split us have not succeeded and there will be no traitors and informers among us. United we will beat the enemy, not only in Palestine, but throughout the world, and convert his life into the hell which he has made ours.” The broadcast also called for the establishment of a Jewish government-in-exile.
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.
