Spokesmen for the Jewish Agency today warned against “premature optimism” concerning the announcement in the House of Lords, yesterday, that Britain was considering the formation of a separate Jewish brigade. The Agency officials stressed that so far no practical steps have been announced.
Under-Secretary for War Lord Croft told the House of Lords that while formation of a separate Jewish army or division was not feasible at present, the government was studying the possibility of establishing a Jewish Brigade.
Replying to a demand by Lord Strabolgi for formation of a Jewish Army, Lord Croft said that the difficulties involved in transporting all Jews who would wish to join such a unit from four continents, and the problems which would result from the great diversity of languages made it difficult to create such an army, “although,” he continued, “we would welcome ten or twelve extra divisions” if it were possible.
Supporting Lord Strabolgi’s demand, Lord Melchett charged that Palestinian Jewish soldiers serving at present in Libya and Palestine feel that they are wasting their time at guard duties, and resent the fact that they are not being allowed to participate in the fighting.
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.
