Colonial Secretary Malcolm MacDonald reported to the House of Commons today a “slackening” in the pace of the Arab rebellion in Palestine and declared that the British Government was still considering the advisability of postponing a declaration of policy on the Holy Land because of the international situation. Mr. MacDonald promised to give a reply tomorrow to a question on the negotiations in Cairo on the Palestine problem.
“As a result of the firm and energetic action by troops and police, the large armed bands have now been broken up,” the Colonial Secretary said. “On March 27 one of the chief gang leaders (Abdul Rahim el Haj Mohammed) was killed by troops and on April 12 another leader (Aaref Abdul Razek) who had taken refuge across the Syrian border surrendered to the French authorities.”
(The Palestine Government is seeking to extradite Abdul Razek, according to a dispatch from Tel Aviv, where a write of extradition was sought in District Court on the ground that the terrorist leader was a criminal and not a political fugitive. The session of the court was secret. The Hebrew daily Haboker of Tel Aviv reported that Razek carried off about $150,000 when he fled from Palestine.)
“During this period,” Mr. MacDonald continued, “considerable quantities of arms, munitions and explosives have been seized or surrendered. Isolated acts of terrorism and sabotage, however, continue. The Government is not yet in a position to make a statement concerning future policy.”
Tom Williams (Laborite) asked: “As it appears to be a case of a rebellion drawing to a close, may I ask whether, in view of the international situation, it would not be advisable at any rate to defer final decision on Palestine for six or twelve months?”
Mr. MacDonald replied: “I would not like to add anything to the description of the situation given in my original answer. I think it is sufficient indication of the slackening pace of the rebellion. With regard to the second part of the supplementary question, it is one of the matters His Majesty’s Government are bearing in mind.”
Asked by another Laborite if the Government still adhered to the Balfour Declaration, the Colonial Secretary gave no reply.
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