HC Deb 03 March 1948 vol 448 cc65-6W
58. Mr. Warbey

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many armed Arab forces have crossed the frontier into Palestine since 29th November, 1947; from which countries they have come; what are the approximate numbers in each force; under whose orders are they acting; and what action has been taken by the Palestine Government to protect the territory of Palestine against such aggression.

65. Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the approximate number of armed Arabs who have entered Palestine in the last three months and the countries from which they came.

Mr. Rees-Williams

Since 29th November, 1947, it is estimated that armed Arab bands totalling over 5,000 men have crossed the frontiers of Palestine. A number of these have since returned to the countries from which they came, after being repulsed by our Security Forces. The countries from which they have come are Syria, Lebanon and Transjordan, although in the latter case it is thought that the forces in question merely passed through Transjordan from Syria. The bands which remain in Palestine have dispersed into the hills and villages and it is impossible to give a reliable estimate of the numbers in each group, or to say with certainty under whose orders they operate, although the forces in the Jerusalem area are known to be under the command of Abdul Khader Husseini and general direction of the force in Northern Palestine is believed to be exercised from Syria by Fawzi Kawukji. The Security Forces in Palestine take all possible steps to prevent such incursions, but owing to the nature of the frontier it is not always possible to ensure continuous control over all possible points of entry.

63. Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies by what route armed Arabs entered Palestine from Transjordan on 24th January; and what guard is being kept on all the bridges across the Jordan against such intruders.

Mr. Rees-Williams

I am not aware of any party of armed Arabs having entered Palestine from Transjordan on the 24th January. The bridges at Damiyeh and Sheikh Hussein have been obstructed by the Palestine Government to prevent their use and all main routes across the Jordan are being watched by the security forces.