U.N. Inquiry Body Refused Permission by Palestine Govt. to Visit Jails, Detention Camps

The Palestine Government has rebuffed efforts of the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine to visit the jails and detention camps in this country, it is reported by the Hebrew press today.

The reports say that the administration claims that the question of jails and detention centers are matters of internal security within the sole jurisdiction of individual governments, and that an inquiry into the prisons is not included within the committee’s terms of reference. Despite the government’s stand, several UNSCOP members are continuing their efforts to visit the jails, the papers add.

Meanwhile, as the committee enters its last week of touring, before opening public hearings on Friday, it is understood that a version of the bi-national state or partition are emerging as the solutions of the Palestine problem most likely to be favored by the probers.

COMMITTEE REPORTED FAVORING NUMERICAL PARITY FOR JEWS OR PARTITION

The first scheme would provide for unlimited Jewish immigration for five years until numerical parity with the Arabs had been achieved, after which an independent state, dominated by neither, would be established. The details of the plan, such as who would run the country pending the achievement of parity and who would carry out the U.N. decision, have not yet been discussed.

The partition plan provides for the establishment of a “viable Jewish state” in part of the country, and merger of the Arab portion with Transjordan under King Abdullah’s rule. This plan is based on the assumption that Abdullah would be able to carry out his part of the bergain by insuring a peaceful interim period, as well as diminishing Arab opposition.

Meanwhile, the Palestine Government is proceeding with long-range plans for the country’s administration. High Commissioner Sir Alan Cunningham announced yesterday that the government has established a special department to foster the greater independence of local councils, which are the governing bodies of the towns and settlements. He said that their budgets will be increased and they will be entrusted with greater responsibilities, including supervision of education and health activities.

COMMISSION TO HEAR TESTIMONY ON POSITION OF JEWS IN ARAB COUNTRIES

Isaac Ben Zvi, president of the Jewish National Council, disclosed today that the Council has already submitted three memoranda to UNSCOP, and is preparing two others. Those submitted cover the history of the Palestine Jewish Community, an outline of self-government here and a report on Jewish social services. The other two deal with the government’s budgetary and financial system and the controversial emergency regulations under which Palestine is now governed. A Council delegation, consisting of four spokesmen, will testify before the inquiry committee on July 9. Later, the Yemenite community will testify on the situation of the Jews in Yemen,

The resolution deploring the recent outbreaks of terror which was adopted last night by the committee was interpreted by some observers as being motivated — in addition to UNSCOP’s natural revulsion against violence — by a desire to placate the Arabs, who had bitterly attacked the committee for its resolution last week asking mercy for the three Irgunists condemned for their part in the Acre prison break.

In what was apparently intended as a reply to the UNSCOP resolution, the Stern Group today issued a statement declaring that the week-end’s attacks were “reprisals for the enemy’s continuous ravaging of our country and its disregard of the international appeal for a truce.” It warned that the attacks will continue as long as the government follows its present policy.

It was reported tonight that British troops have been ordered confined to their barracks as a result of fears that further attacks would be made.