A manifesto calling upon the Jews of Palestine “to isolate” the extremist groups was issued here today jointly by all labor organizations in the country, following proclamation by the Jewish National Assembly of a three-hour general strike in protest against the mass arrests this week of three Jewish mayors and a number of leaders of the Zionist-Revisionist Party and other groups.
The immediate release of the arrested Jewish mayors, as well as of other elected Jewish officials, was demanded today by all speakers at the extraordinary session of the Jewish National Assembly. They also agreed on the demand voiced at the session by David Remez, Histadruth leader, that all Jewish groups in the country increase the tempo of the drive against the extremists.
Principal speaker at the Assembly was Goldie Meirson, acting head of the political department of the Jewish Agency, who, shortly before the session, was summoned to appear before the Palestine Acting Chief Secretary to discuss the situation in the country. It is understood that Mrs. Meirson told the official that the entire responsibility for the present situation rests with the government. She emphasized that the arrest of the Jewish mayors who were in the front line of the anti-terrorist campaign, the brutal treatment of the Exodus refugees, the anti-Jewish riots in England and in Palestine have only intensified Jewish resentment, strengthening the dissidents.
Addressing the Assembly, Mrs. Meirson called upon the Jews in the country to “unite and face both the external and internal assaults.” Palestine Jewry, she said, will not surrender to either of them. Other speakers stressed that the government will not succed in breaking the resistance of Palestine Jewry by arresting Jewish leaders.
HAGANAH EXPECTS MORE MASS ARRESTS OF JEWISH LEADERS
Haganah circles today expressed the belief that the current arrests are only the first step in a campaign to arrest leaders of all Jewish groups in Palestine. A statement issued by the Haganah tonight emphasized that despite the mass arrests, the organization will continue its fight against the dissident groups and will at the same time press its campaign to bring in visaless Jewish immigrants.
The Haganah announcement was made following the issuance of the labor manifesto. The groups which signed the document are: the Mapai, Palestine Labor Party; the left-ving Hashomer Hatzair; Tenua L’Achduth Avoda, the opposition within the Histadruth; Haoved Hazioni, the labor wing of the General Zionist Party; Haoved Hadati, the Orthodox Laborites; and the labor section of the Agudas Israel.
EXTREMISTS BLAST TRAIN; DERAIL 12 OIL CARS
The extremists struck at the Palestine rail system early this morning blowing come 250 yards of track and derailing 12 oil cars in a freight train. The blast, {SPAN}##{/SPAN} caused no casualties, occurred outside of Ras el Ain, north of Tel Aviv. A {SPAN}##{/SPAN} grenade was thrown at a car in which the Bethlehem district commissioner was {SPAN}##{/SPAN} but no casualties resulted. A staff car and a field ambulance were landmined {SPAN}##{/SPAN} Hadera and Pardes Hanna, injuring two officers and two soldiers.
What was described as a “walking arsenal” was discovered tonight when police ## two persons disguised as Arabs and leading a camel on the outskirts of Jaffa. ## investigation revealed that the camel was loaded with two landmines and a large ##tity of explosives and ammunition. One of the extremists was arrested, but the ## escaped. The Stern Group today warned the citrus growers to arrange for enough ## and trucks to transport their products to the ports because “not a single train ## operate”
MILITARY ANNOUNCES NO TROOPS INVOLVED IN TEL AVIV RIOTS; POLICE MUM
British military headquarters today announced that on the basis of “exhaustive {SPAN}##ries”{/SPAN} it was established that no British troops were involved in the Tel Aviv {SPAN}##{/SPAN} last week, in which five Jews were killed and a number wounded. Results of a {SPAN}##{/SPAN} inquiry by the Palestine police headquarters have not been announced.
Lt. Gen. Gordon Macmillan, British commander in Palestine, today flew to Egypt participate in a conference of high-ranking British military officers called by ## of the Imperial Staff Field Marshal Montgomery. He will present a first-hand ## on the situation in Palestine. Rumors that the number of British troops in ##estine may be reduced by 50,000 within the next few months have been circulating ## but it is pointed out that such a move would necessitate a change in the British political and military policies in Palestine.The government today made a new concession to the Jewish community when it announced the granting of certificates outside of the regular quotas to 485 orphans ## on Cyprus. Five hundred extra certificates had previously been allocated to the ## Aliyah movement.
The Palestine Government today promulgated a bill which would regulate the pro##ting and mining of radio-active minerals in the country. Minerals which would be ##cted include pitchblende, uraninite, ulrichite, broggerite and cleveite.
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.
