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Britain Says Arms Shipped to Arab Countries “scrutinized” to Avoid Use in Palestine

January 15, 1948
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Accused of providing arms to countries of the Arab League which are behind anti-Jewish violence in Palestine, the British Government today declared that, according to a recent decision, all orders for war material coming from Arab countries in the Middle East are “very carefully scrutinized” to void their possible use in Palestine.

A government spokesman said that the import of arms to Palestine will be controlled by the British authorities while they remain in the country. Afterwards the control will have to be carried out by the United Nations Implementation Commission. He emphasized that the war material which Britain sent to Egypt, Iraq and Transjordan “under treaty obligations” is only “for internal security and defense” if those countries.

The spokesman also revealed that the British Government has received replies from the governments of Syria and: Lebanon on the demarches made in connection with attacks on Palestine from their territories during the week-end. However, he refused to disclose the nature of the replies, or whether they are considered satisfactory.

Zionist sources here state that a number of Britons, including officers up to the rank of Brigadier, have volunteered for service with the Jewish forces in Palestine.

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