Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

British Continue to Burn Bibles, Other Books Sent to Exodus Refugees

August 20, 1947
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

The British authorities aboard the three ships in the harbor here on which the 4,400 Exodus refugees are being held are continuing to confiscate and burn books sent to the immigrants, including the Bible and prayer books. One officer asserted that he could not distinguish between them and the writings of Theodor Herzl, Dr. Chaim Weizmann and other Zionists, which are also being destroyed.

Meanwhile, the 24-hour hunger strike begun by the refugees yesterday morning as a protest against their continued imprisonment ended here today without incident. The visaless Jews have warned that if the one-day “warning” strike accomplishes nothing, they will go on a longer strike until they win their demands.

(In London the Foreign Office denied press reports which again stated that the Jews would be taken to Hamburg, in the British zone of Germany, if they did not disembark in France. An official spokesman declared that he had nothing to add to earlier statements concerning the ships’ destination.)

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement