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Dr. Margoshes, Eye-witness, Describes Palestine Events at Mass Meeting

October 10, 1929
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An eye-witness account of recent events in Palestine, of Arab atrocities, the Palestine administration’s negligence, and Jewish heroism, was presented to a large audience at Mecca Temple Tuesday evening by Dr. S. Margoshes, editor of the “Day,” who has just returned from Palestine. David A. Brown, chairman of the Palestine Emergency Fund, presided.

Dr. Margoshes arrived in Palestine three hours before the massacres began, remained for thirty days, visiting the Jewish settlements during the outbreaks, and later touring the devastated area with Colonel Frederick H. Kisch, member of the Jerusalem Zionist Executive.

Despite the devastation which has been wrought, he declared, the work of reconstruction has not ceased for one moment. “I stood with bowed head in wonderment at the heroic spirit manifest throughout-the will to go on. There is no retreat in Palestine.”

Sir John Chancellor, High Commissioner of Palestine, said to him, Dr. Margoshes declared: Your people are unconquerable. No obstacle can defeat you. With such a spirit, you cannot help advancing, even in Palestine.

“Less than 5 per cent of the adult male population of Arab blood rose against the Jews, and this despite the lying propaganda that was conducted among the masses for months and months previous,” Dr. Margoshes said. “This shows that as far as the Arab masses are concerned, they harbor no hatred towards the Jews and that, given a chance, friendly relations between Arab and Jew are not only likely but highly plausible and natural.

“With the Arab murderers, be they Muftis or Effendis, we can never make peace. But with those Arabs whose hands are not stained with Jewish blood, we can and will make peace. That is the feeling of Palestine Jewry,” he asserted.

The responsibility for the excesses clearly attaches to the Palestine administration, he maintained. There is no more palpable lie, he said, than the assumption of ignorance on the part of administration officials with whom he talked. Keith-Roach and the superintendent of the Palestine police professed ignorance. The Jews of Cairo knew and the Palestine administration did not know! he exclaimed. On the Wednesday before the riots, fellaheen coming into Jerusalem warned the Jews to put in provisions for several days because riots were scheduled to take place on Friday. For weeks proclamations were circulated urging the Musselmen to mass for an attack on the Jews on August 23. Not only did the Palestine officials take no precautions, but the British police stayed comfortably in their barracks playing cards while the cries of the victims (Continued on Page 4)

It is to be hoped that Great Britain will see how unbelievable this ignorance is, and the Commission of Inquiry will see likewise, to the end that the Palestine officials will be ousted, he said.

David A. Brown asked for a policy of moderation in regard toward the attitude to Great Britain. He thanked the “Day” for arranging the meeting, pointing out that this newspaper has, already, through its columns, raised $40,000 for Palestine relief. The proceeds of the mass meeting were given to the Palestine Emergency Fund.

A dramatic and musical program was offered by Maurice Schwartz, director of the Yiddish Art Theatre, Cantor Mordecai Herschman, and the choir of the Jewish National Workers’ Alliance under the leadership of Leo Leov.

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