The seven-hour general strike of the Jews of Palestine today protesting the immigration restriction policy of the Palestine government, was completely successful and one hundred per cent effective.
Exactly at noon all normal activity in Jewish Palestine ceased. Commerce, labor, transport, schools and factories all stopped work at noon and a Sabbath-like silence descended upon the Jewish districts.
The strike was unanimously approved by all parties, including the Agudath Israel, orthodox Jewish group, which at the last moment issued a call asking its members not to oppose the strike. The organization explained, however, that while the Agudah favored a protest against immigration restrictions, a general strike was not a suitable means of expressing protest.
TRANSPORTATION CRIPPLED
Jewish-owned bus lines between Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa and other points ceased running at 12 o’clock, leaving the most important cities in Palestine completely isolated except for the railroads. All restaurants closed their doors at noon. Even the Levant Fair was closed between noon and seven in the morning.
Most of the workers who left their places of employment at noon today proceeded immediately to the many mass meetings which took place simultaneously in all cities, towns and colonies where Jews live.
In many cases businesses owned by non-Jews which are centered in Jewish districts closed their doors. At seven this evening stores and other places of business were reopened and normal life began again.
The strike was peaceful except for two isolated incidents. A Jewish youth, Shalom Dreih, was injured by policeman who dispersed a crowd of young Jews who attempted to force a group of Agudath Israel partisans to close their shops in the Meah Shaarim district of Jerusalem. At the same time a crowd of 1,000 Jews returning from one of the protest meetings tried to form a column and carry out a demonstration. They were immediately dispersed by heavy detachments of mounted and foot police, which had been disposed about the city.
COUNCIL SUMMARIZES CAUSES
The Vaad Leumi, the Jewish National Council of Palestine, issued a statement today on the objects of the general strike and the events leading up to the decision to carry out the strike.
The statement pointed out:
1. The continued restriction of immigration.
2. The refusal of authorities to grant visas to the relatives of those already in Palestine.
3. The small immigration schedule, which was undermining the very foundations of Jewish national economy
4. The almost complete disappearance of Jewish labor from government works, which was attributed directly to immigration restrictions.
5. The danger to Jewish Palestine inherent in the policy of immigration restriction.
The Vaad Leumi also went on record as opposing the new Palestine loan and the pocketing law recently passed by the government.
The general strike was determined upon last week at the concluding session of the Assefath Hanivcharim, the elected assembly of Jewish Palestine.
All Jewish groups in Palestine are united in their bitter opposition to the immigration policy now in force.
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