Chief Rabbis Isaac Herzog of the Ashkenazic community and 80-year-old Jacob Meir of the Sephardic community intervened today with Major General Robert H. Haining, General Officer in Command of British forces in Palestine, asking clemency for two Jewish youths sentenced to death by a military court for firing on an Arab bus. The Tel Aviv Municipal Council telegraphed General Haining appealing for commutation of the sentence.
Polish Consul General Witold Hulinizcki interviewed General Haining this morning in behalf of the condemned youths, Abraham Shein and Shlomo Ben-Joseph. He was understood to have asked postponement of action on confirmation of the sentences to give him time to communicate with Warsaw. No action is expected before this weekend.
Dr. Philip Joseph, defense counsel, is submitting a memorandum to General Haining asking him to quash the death sentence and free both youths on the ground of reasonable doubt. Neither youth was identified with the commission of the offences charged, he said, and the circumstantial evidence lacks vital links. Various Jewish organizations are making efforts to obtain clemency for the youths.
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