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Exodus Jews Sail from Gibraltar; Spokesman Says Refugees Eager for Final “showdown”

August 31, 1947
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The three British vessels returning the 4,400 Exodus refugees to Germany sailed today from Gibraltar, escorted by three battle-class destroyers, it was reported by Reuters.

The report said that a spokesman for the Jews on the Runnymede Park declared: We have now been caged on these ships for nearly a month and a half and we are eager for the final showdown at Hamburg. If this delay is intentional on the part of the British, it will not do them any good because we are all the more determined to resist disembarkation,”

Of the six refugees who landed at Gibraltar yesterday because they required exgent medical attention, two, who were found not to be seriously ill, chose to return to the ships today.

Meanwhile, High Commissioner Sir Alan G. Cunningham conferred with the Colonial Office today on the Palestine question. A Jerusalem dispatch to the London Jews Chronicle said that Cunningham would attempt to persuade the government to change the destination of the Exodus refugees. The dispatch also said that if Cunningham fails in his mission, he might resign.

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