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Arab Rebels Defy Wauchope’s Warnings; Terrorism Unchecked

July 9, 1936
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Arab terrorism of the now routine sort continued unchecked today, marked by attacks on bus convoys, military and police patrols, snipings and bombings. Last night troops killed seven Arabs during a search of Nablus hills for rebel hideouts.

Arab guerilla bands seemed little disposed to heed High Commissioner Wauchope’s latest radio warning that the full military powers at his control would be used to suppress the disorders and that new reinforcements would be brought in if necessary.

Nor did they pay attention to appeals of Arab leaders who are believed trying to win over a still powerful group of die-hards in the Arab Supreme Committee to a more moderate course of action in fulfilling Arab aims to halt Jewish immigration.

The following incidents were reported today from various parts of the country:

A convoy consisting of 22 buses, accompanied by troops and two planes circling overhead, was fired on near Nurshemsh, scene of one of bitterest skirmishes in the revolt about two weeks ago when one British soldier and more than ten Arabs were killed. The planes swooped on the attackers, forcing them to take to the surrounding hills. On signals from the planes, tanks stationed at nearby points pursued and captured three Arabs. No casualties were reported.

A police car was fired on near Bethlehem. Royal Scots Fusilier Nailt was slightly wounded by snipers firing on a military patrol at Zadek in southern Palestine. Bandits who fired on a convoy near Anabta were dispersed by the troops. A police patrol at Kfar Harris was the target of snipers’ bullets.

During a police search of an Arab house in Jaffa, from which a bomb had been thrown, an Arab attempted to stab one of the policemen. He was arrested together with the suspected bomb-thrower.

An entire herd of cattle, comprising 150 head, was reported stolen by Arabs from the Jewish colony of Kinereth.

Delegations of Arabs visited villages surrounding Jerusalem threatening reprisals against peasants if they did not immediately launch campaigns of terrorism against Jews.

Government machine-gun reinforcements routed a band of Arabs who attacked a Jewish settlement at Karkur, firing 400 shots into the colony.

Six Arabs from Transjordan were arrested at Haifa in an attempt to bomb a Jewish-owned cinema.

Police searched villages in the vicinity of Jaffa for Arab goatherds believed transporting bullets to Arabs in Jaffa suburbs in containers concealed under the goats.

OVERNIGHT DEVELOPMENTS

Last night troops, aided by radio-equipped war tanks and airplanes, continued to dislodge rebels from their hideouts in the Nablus hills, killing six Arabs, an official communique reported. One Arab was killed in a clash with Jewish special police near Rihsen-le-Zion, the communique said. Two policemen were fired on by Arabs after being challenged to halt. The police replied, hitting one.

Special police and soldiers beat off attacks on the Jerusalem suburbs of Yefeinoff, Talpioth and Mekor Hain. The number of casualties were not ascertained.

Rebels attacked the Jewish settlement of Ein Charod, beginning at six o’clock in the evening when Jewish laborers were returning from work in the groves on the slope of Mount Gilboa. Firing went on for hours before local watchmen and machine-gun reinforcements routed the attackers. Casualty totals were not ascertained.

Troops were fired on near Deir Zara and replied. Some of the assailants were reported killed.

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