§ Mr. Manningham-Buller(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement with regard to the grave events reported in Palestine.
§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Creech Jones)I have not received complete reports yet on recent events in Palestine, but the High Commissioner has already briefly reported incidents on 2nd December, when Arab demonstrations 390 took place in Jerusalem, Jaffa, Haifa, Nazareth, Ramle, Acre, Tiberias, Beisan and Tarshiha. These disturbances, the High Commissioner informs me, were sporadic and unorganised. In Jerusalem there was mob violence directed against Jews and Jewish property. A number of shops were looted, and there were several cases of arson. Shots were fired by Jews, and possibly also by Arabs, though the latter is not certain. Hagana has been out on the streets in force, and has generally done its best to restrain the Jews from reprisals. Casualties reported are, two Jews seriously wounded, one Jew and four Arabs injured, and one Jewish and two British police injured. A number of Jews with arms were arrested during the day, two of whom had been sniping.
In Haifa, two Jews were injured by Arabs, neither seriously. In Jaffa, Arabs attacked Jewish shops, and police were compelled to make a baton charge. One British policeman was slightly injured. In Lydda, two Jewish clinics were sacked by Arabs. There were a number of cases of Arabs holding up and stoning Jewish transport in the Lydda district. These incidents resulted in one Jew being fatally injured, one Jew seriously injured, and one Jew slightly injured. A fourth Jew was injured when a bus was fired on near Ramle. Among other incidents reported was one near Roshpina, where a car containing Jewish Supplementary Police was held up and stoned by Arabs. Jews fired warning shots and escaped injury. Subsequently, an Arab was found dead in the vicinity, and an injured Jew named as his assailant was found in a nearby colony. He claimed to have been beaten by Arabs. I should add that the Palestine Government is responsible for the maintenance of law and order until the Mandate is finally surrendered, and will continue to take all possible steps to preserve order and to prevent such tragic and unhappy conflicts. The Arab leaders in Palestine are fully informed of this.
§ Mr. Manningham-BullerWhile I thank the right hon. Gentleman for the statement which he has made, may I ask him if he will pay tribute to the conduct of the British troops and Palestine Police in these most distressing and difficult circumstances; have they not done all that it lay within their power to do to keep. order?
§ Mr. Creech JonesYes, Sir. The Government, of course, would wholeheartedly associate themselves with the sentiments expressed by the hon. and learned Member. I hope shortly to make a statement in regard to Palestine, and then I can say something about the excellent work which the Police and the Service have performed.
§ Mr. H. HyndIn these new circumstances, is Hagana getting every facility to maintain order, including the right to bear arms?
§ Mr. Creech JonesThat is a point which can be put to me when I make a statement a little later on.
§ Mr. ThurtleIn view of the exacerbation of feeling which has taken place as a result of the United Nations organisation's decision in favour of partition, can my right hon. Friend say how long he proposes to maintain British soldiers in Palestine in order to keep the peace between the two races?
§ Mr. Creech JonesThe British Government will be responsible for law and order until the Mandate is surrendered. The British troops will be withdrawn, and we hope that the final withdrawal will be by 1st August of next year.
§ Sir R. GlynCan the right hon. Gentleman state if any special constables are being enlisted to assist the Palestine Police; and, if so, whether they are being drawn equally from Arabs and Jews, and not only from one side?
§ Mr. Creech JonesSome steps are being taken to augment the existing arrangements for the preservation of law and order. However, I would prefer to cover that point in the statement which I make on behalf of the Government some time very soon.
§ Sir R. GlynDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that if there is any misapprehension that special facilities are being given to one side or the other it will increase the risk of disorder; and therefore, will his statement be made very soon?
§ Mr. Creech JonesThe statement will be made very soon. I fully appreciate, and so does the High Commissioner, the point which the hon. Member makes.
§ Mr. ThurtleIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that sometime ago his right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said that, if a situation arose in which the United Nations organisation created a certain strong feeling between Jews and Arabs, British soldiers would not be used to keep the peace?
§ Mr. Creech JonesI have made it perfectly clear that, while the British Administration is functioning in Palestine for some months ahead the British Government must remain responsible for law and order.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyAre British women and children still allowed to return to Palestine to rejoin their husbands and fathers?
§ Mr. Creech JonesMany women and children have returned to Palestine in recent months.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyAre they still allowed to return?
§ Mr. Edward DaviesCan the Secretary of State inform the House what arrangements are being made to preserve the peace in Palestine after the withdrawal of British troops?
§ Mr. Oliver PooleWhen the right hon. Gentleman makes his statement, will he pay particular attention to the employment of the Transjordan Frontier Force?
§ Mr. Creech JonesThat point will be covered in the statement.
§ Major Legge-BourkeCan the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that British troops have not now to wait until they are shot at before they use their own arms? May I have an answer?
§ Mr. Creech JonesI should have thought that an answer was hardly necessary. The British authorities in Palestine have very definite responsibilities which they must discharge so long as the Mandate is held by Great Britain.
§ Mr. WarbeyCan my right hon. Friend give an assurance that His Majesty's Government will co-operate loyally with the United Nations in carrying out the decision of the General Assembly?
§ Mr. Creech JonesI shall make a statement on this matter at a very early date.