Reports on Truce in Palestine Termed “premature” by Head of Zionist Political Dept

The reports that Jewish extremist groups in Palestine had agreed to a truce were termed “premature” today by Goldie Meirson, head of the political department of the world Zionist executive in Jerusalem. Addressing a press conference, she expressed the hope, however, that a truce would be arranged. She emphasized that Jewish national institutions in Palestine have no direct contact with the dissident groups, but the Jewish community is pressing them to cease their activities.

The Jewish Agency will not participate in the London Conference on Palestine until the British Government changes conditions to an extent that will enable Jewish participation, Mrs. Meirson said. She emphasized that free Jewish immigration is one of the most important conditions.

“We cannot attend the London conference while deportation of visaless Jewish immigrants from Palestine is going on,” she said. She pointed out that the Zionist Congress did not close the doors on contact with the British Government, in order to explore the possibilities of cooperation and the carrying out of the Palestine mandate before a Jewish state is established. “We are eager to get the support of other governments in addition to Britain, but not to replace Britain,” she declared.

Reporting on the decisions of the Zionist Congress, she said that they resulted in Zionist unity on the demand for a Jewish state in the whole of Palestine. They also indicated the bitter disappointment prevailing among Jews at the policy of the British Government in Palestine and at its continued infringement of Jewish rights since the issuance of the White Paper.

There were a few minor incidents in various parts of the country today, but generally the situation was quieter than it has been for many days.

In Haifa, police arrested five Jewish youths who had in their possession a quantity of illegal placards and a paste-pot. Some Irgun pamphlets, fuse wire and first aid equipment were found by police during a raid this morning on a house in Eszalel Street in Jerusalem. An unconssious Jew suffering from a severe scalp wound was found this morning on the road to Petach Tikvah. According to documents on his person his name is David Rozinski.

All 18 alleged members of the Irgun arrested yesterday in a raid on Rishon Le Zion are Sephardio Jews, it was reported today. Four women are among them.