The British Government tonight issued a White Paper on violence in Palestine, charging that the sabotage and acts of terrorism were carried out under the direction of several members of the Jewish Agency.
The information secured by the government, which resulted in its decision to raid the premises of the Jewish Agency and arrest several of its members, led it to reach the following conclusions, the White Paper said:
1- The Haganah and its striking force, the Palmaen, working under the political control of prominent members of the Jewish Agency, have been engaged in carefully planned movements of sabotage and violence under the guise of the Jewish Resistance Movement.”
2- The Irgun Zvai Leumi and the Stern Group have been working since last Autumn in cooperation with the high command of the Haganah and have carried out several joint operations.
3- The Haganah radio, “Kol Israel,” was working under the direction of the Jewish Agency and supported the terrorist organizations.
After the kidnapping of six British officers by Jews last month, the government was obliged to take steps against the persons and groups responsible for the outrages, the White Paper added.
It said that the government’s information was secured from the following sources: Eight telegrams which passed between members of the Jewish Agency in Jerusalem and London from September of last year to May of this year, broadcasts by Kel Israel and publications issued by the Irgun, the Stern Group and the “Jewish Resistance Movement.”
CITE TEXT OF ALLEGED TELEGRAMS INVOLVING JEWISH AGENCY LEADERS
Among the specific acts of sabotage cited in the White Paper were attacks on the Palestine railway system and a simultaneous attack on the oil refineries at Haifa. The British statement said that this incident was aimed at convincing the government that violence would result if it refused to accede to the Jewish demands.
The White Paper contains the alleged texts of the telegrams which were either sent or received by Dr. Moshe Sneh, Dr. Bernard Joseph and Mache Shertok, all members of the executive of the Jewish Agency. The telegrams, as published in the White Paper, asked Shertok, who was then in London, to advise the Agency members in Jerusalem whether it would be advisable to launch large-scale violence, minor incidents or remain passive. The alleged cables also gave key words which were to be used by Shertok in sending instructions to Jerusalem.
The White Paper quotes a telegram to London, allegedly from Dr. Sneh, dated September 23, 1945, which read as follows:
“It is suggested that we do not wait for the official announcement but call upon all Jewry to warn the authorities and to raise the morale of Yishuv. If you agree, ask Zeev Sharif for statistical material about the absorptive capacity and if you do not agree tell him that this material is not yet required It has also been suggested that we cause one serious incident. We would then publish a declaration to the effect that it is only a warning and an indication of much more serious incidents that would threaten the safety of all British interests in the country should the Government decide against us.
“Wire your views with the reference as before but referring to statistical material about immigration during the war years. The Stern Group have expressed their willingness to join us completely on the basis of our program of activity. This time the intention seems serious. If there is such a union we may assume that we can prevent independent action even by the IZL. Wire your views on the question of the union referring to statistical material about Jewish recruitment to the army. SNEH.”
INSTRUCTIONS ALLEGEDLY SOUGHT IN EXCHANGE OF CABLES WITH MOSHE SHERTOK
Another telegram quoted in the White Paper reads: “Eliezer Kaplan basing himself on a word from Hayvim via NWBW says that we should undertake nothing before you give us instructions to do. He is opposed to any real action on our part until we hear from you. Other members however are of the opinion that it is necessary to back your political effort with activities which do not bear the character of a general conflict. It is essential that we should know at once whether such actions are likely to be useful or detrimental to your struggle. Should you be opposed to any action whatever wire that we should wait for the arrival (one word unclear in cable). Should agree to isolated actions wire that you agree to sending a deputation to the dominions. If Hayvim meant us only avoid a general conflict not isolated cases, sent greetings to Chill for the birth of his daughter.”
The White Paper quoted a third telegram “from Moshe Shertok in London to Bernard Joseph in Jerusalem – October 12, 1945”. This read: “David will not leave before fortnight. Meanwhile probably revisit Paris. Regarding Dobkin written. David himself favored delegate dominions. Please congratulate Chill on birth of daughter.”
A note in he White Paper said that “the reference in the telegram will show that the phrases about ‘delegate dominions’ and ‘greetings to Chill’ meant that it was desired, whilst avoiding a general conflict, to indulge in isolated actions.
ILLEGAL RADIO OPERATED WITH JEWISH AGENCY AGREEMENT, WHITE PAPER “PROVES”
As proof that the “Kol Israel” station was working with the agreement of the Jewish Agency, the White Paper referred to further telegrams quoting one “to London from Sneh in Jerusalem October 12, 1945” which is given as follows:
“With effect from 4/10 the broadcast of ‘The Voice of Israel’ has been renewed. Two broadcasts were successful. Eliezer Kaplan and Bernard Joseph were invited to see the High Commissioner this morning. The agreement for the renewal of the broadcast and the Athlit undertakings have been obtained with difficulty. In future I shall not inquire but decide in conjunction with Shaul Meiroff and KN’NY.”
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.
