The Jewish National Council sent congratulations today to Meier Dizengoff as mayor of this all-Jewish city in connection with the unloading of the first steamship directly at this city instead of at the neighboring port of Jaffa, which is tied up by an Arab strike.
“Let this be the first step in the building of the first Jewish harbor,” the message said. The city has received permission to begin dredging for construction of a harbor following the decision of Jewish importers to boycott the Jaffa port.
Thousands of Jews gathered to watch the unusual sight of unloading cargo at Tel Aviv, which was carried on under police protection.
Serious quarrels broke out in the neighboring Arab city of Jaffa between striking Arab stevedores and lighter owners on the one hand and leaders of the Arab anti-Jewish strike on the other when the ship was seen unloading at Tel Aviv.
Many Arab stevedores demanded that the strike be discontinued. A meeting of dock workers was called to decide whether to continue the strike, which is now in its fifth week.
“We do not want to lose our bread,” striking Arabs shouted. “We want peace with the Jews.”
Members of the Arab Supreme Council, which is directing the strike, assured the Arabs that no competing harbor would be built in Tel Aviv.
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