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British Air Ministry Lauds Palestinian Volunteers

October 18, 1940
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The Air Ministry news service tonight lauded the loyalty of the Palestine Jews and paid tribute particularly to volunteers for the Royal Air Force.

“They are a keen set of fellows of good physique and extremely eager to get going with the units of the R.A.F. to which they have been posted,” the bulletin said of the Palestinian volunteers.

Some will serve in the western desert, while others will be stationed with various units of the Middle East command, the news service said. Many are intended for technical branches of the service. The volunteers are now undergoing training.

The news service declared: “The majority of Jews who settled in Palestine in recent years are wholeheartedly behind Britain in the struggle against Nazi tyranny and brutality. Their young men are demonstrating their feelings by the way in which they are flocking to our help.”

The bulletin quoted an interview with a Jewish corporal who had served in the French Foreign Legion in Syria. “All the Jews in Palestine want to fight for England because it is the experience of the Jewish people that they have been happy under the democracy which England is defending ” the corporal said. “All our people in Palestine are very strong in support of England and want to help beat the tyranny of the Nazis, even if they have to sacrifice their lives. After all is life so very important with so much at stake?”

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