The question as to whether the murder of Jews in the Hebron Arab massacre perpetrated by Moslem Arabs was accompanied by mutilations of the dead bodies is becoming the subject of heated controversy between the Jews and the Moslems, with the government taking an uncertain stand.
The Palestine Arab Executive in its statement in reply to the High Commissioner’s proclamation. denied that mutilations occurred. The taking of photographs of the dead bodies was prohibited by the Hebron police authorities.
A statement issued yesterday in behalf of a group of Jewish physicians, signed by Dr. Levontin of the Rothschild Hospital of Tel Aviv, Dr. Danziger of Jerusalem, Dr. Kitay of Hebron, Dr. Joseph of the Hadassah Hospital. Jerusalem, Dr. H. Sabbatai of the Shaare Zedek Hospital, Jerusalem, and Dr. Ticho of the Ophthalmic Hospital. Jerusalem, pointed out that among the 59 Hebron Jewish dead there was “a large number of unspeakable mutilations.” The physicians added that a considerable number of those wounded in Hebron now being treated in Jerusalem hospitals are terribly mutilated. They demand that the bodies of the Hebron dead buried there be exhumed in the presence of European physicians and representatives of the consular corps in Jerusalem.
The Zionist Executive in Jerusalem in a cabled report to the London headquarters stated that the taking of photographs of the Hebron dead before burial was prohibited by the Hebron police. A representative of the American consulate in Jerusalem who attempted to photograph the dead bodies of the Americans had his camera smashed.
The correspondent of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency learns that the High Commissioner promised Rabbi A. J. Kook, the Chief Rabbi, to grant permission for exhuming the dead in such cases where it is known that the burial took place not in accordance with Jewish ritual. It is expected that in such cases the Jewish Agency for Palestine will have an opportunity to secure expert medical opinion to ascertain whether mutilations occurred.
RESCUED PROPERTY OF HEBRON REFUGEES BROUGHT TO JERUSALEM
The gruesome horrors of the Hebron massacre were recalled this afternoon when thirty lorries returned to Jerusalem, bringing the personal effects of the Hebron refugees, including books and religious articles. The truckloads were taken to the Straus Health Center where the refugees are sheltered.
The tattered Holy Scrolls, books, pillows and clothes in rags and bespattered with blood revived memories of the calamity among the witnesses, many of whom burst into hysterical weeping on beholding the belongings.
The thirty busses, with Jewish drivers, made the trip to Hebron and back accompanied by five soldiers. They were unmolested.
VAAD LEUMI REPLIES TO ARAB PROCLAMATIONS
The National Council of Palestine Jews has issued in Arabic an open letter in reply to the unceasing stream of Arab proclamations protesting that no mutilations occurred at Hebron.
The National Council, at an interview with the High Commissioner on Friday, submitted another memorandum concerning the Hebron massacre and protested against improper legal procedure in the investigation of certain Hebron cases.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
