The Tel Aviv municipal council, meeting in closed session last night, adopted a motion expressing its “deep sorrow” at the clashes over the week-end between. Allied soldiers and a small group of fanatical Jewish youths who have designated themselves “protectors” of the morals of the young women of the city. Twenty-eight of the youths were injured, five of them seriously enough to require hospitalization.
The council voiced strong condemnation of the assaults and appealed to the residents of the city to assist the municipal authorities in discovering the identity of the assailants. It expressed the hope that the incidents will not be repeated. Civil and military authorities have also been contacted to secure their cooperation in measures to prevent further outbreaks. Prominent leaders of the Yishuv, including rabbis, joined with the municipal council in condemning the clashes.
The disturbances were the culmination of a violent campaign being waged by puritanical youths who allege that the morals of the Jewish girls are being impaired by the soldiers. Recently, the names and photographs of girls accused of going out with soldiers were posted in public places.
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