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1,200 Jews Arrested in Italian Port Shortly Before Embarking for Palestine

April 7, 1946
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Three Jewish non-commissioned officers of a Palestine regiment were arrested in connection with the discovery by the Italian police of 1,200 Jewish refugees who entered Italy illegally for the purpose of migrating to Palestine; it was announced today by Allied Forces headquarters.

The 1,200 Jews were arrested last night at the Italian port of La Spezia as they were about to embark on three small steamers which were to take them to Palestine. The three ships have been impounded. The Jewish refugees arrived at the port in thirty-seven Allied trucks, according to reports.

The suspicions of a patrol of Italian police were aroused by a jeep containing two Allied non-commissioned officers. Asked for their identity papers, the two men drove off at high speed, followed by a fusillade of shots. Further investigation disclosed that a convoy of trucks nearby was crammed with Jews suiting to board the three ships.

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