Premier David Ben Gurion, addressing the State Council today, declared that "all forces which we sent on Oct. 14 to open the road to the Negev have returned to their bases. Jewish forces now in the Negev are those which were there before Oct. 14 and whose task it is to keep Jewish settlements open and to protect them against any possible Egyptian attack. These forces will not be withdrawn," he emphasized.
"We welcome the (U.N.) armistice resolution," he said. "Although it is not strong, nevertheless it represents a change in attitude on the problem of war and peace in Palestine, and is a first step on the way to lasting peace. The Israeli Government is prepared to enter into negotiations with all Arab states or with any Arab states which will come to the conclusion that it will not conquer Palestine by force of arms."
He asserted that "we have reason to believe that all the Arab states have reached the conclusion that there is no purpose in continued fighting. We are certain that no differences exist between our interests and those of the Arab countries. On our side, we will give all necessary support to the Security Council on its new road," he added.
A reserve force of labor battalions made up of all those military ago who for economic reasons are not enlisted in the army will be mobilized, the Premier announced. The labor battalions, which are to be called "anal," will be organized as a part-time service and divided into three classes serving four, six and 14 days a month, respectively. The general staff and defense military commission will be the body responsible for deciding in which class each man will belong, Ben Gurion said, He explained that the first two days’ service will be unpaid, but the remainder of each month’s time will be paid for.
In a proclamation issued lest night, the Irgun-sponsored Freedom Movement declared: "We call upon all inhabitants of our homeland to be alert to the danger of British suppression. Any British occupation army in our country, in secret or in disguise, spells the end of our freedom, Before we miss the favorable moment, let the order of attack be given to our soldiers. Let us secure a place for those who will return to Zion, Let us fortify our sovereignty so that we may be able to release a considerable number of our sons from military service for work and reconstruction," the proclamation added.
Incomplete, provisional totals of the recent census indicate that of some 782,000 persons residing in Israel or Israel-controlled territory, 713,000 are Jews.
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.
