HC Deb 03 December 1945 vol 416 cc2067-8W
Mr. Mallalieu

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the recent shooting incident at Hogla, in Palestine.

Mr. George Hall

This incident arose from a search by the police, not, as I understand has been alleged, for illegal immigrants, but for those responsible for the attack by Jews armed with automatic weapons, rifles and grenades on the police coastguard stations at Givat Olga and Sidna Ali, which were wrecked by explosives, causing fourteen police casualties. The attackers were trailed from Givat Olga to Holga and Givat Hayim. The head of the latter settlement was asked to assemble the male inhabitants for an identification parade but refused. Meanwhile settlers, armed with sticks, had gathered and were threatening the small police party, which withdrew outside the settlement gates. On arrival of reinforcements, the whole area was cordoned. The following morning, identification of the settlers was begun and it was found necessary to take certain persons into custody for further interrogation. Their removal was resisted and in the ensuing fracas injuries were received by both the settlers and the police.

Meanwhile, Jewish reinforcements poured in from the surrounding districts and attempted to break the cordon of troops enclosing the settlement. A party of about 500 persons from Hadera, many of them armed with cudgels, advanced towards Holga on a 50 yard front in military formation, led by a man on horseback. At one point they appeared to be about to rush the cordon. The British military officer in charge of the cordon at that place advanced towards the Jews and warned them five times to stop. The ringleader continued to urge the crowd forward. The officer in charge of the cordon ordered one marksman to fire one shot at the ringleader, who was slightly wounded. The Jews then opened fire from a number of automatic weapons and rifles located on the flank. One section of our troops was ordered to reply. Some of the Jews surged forward and broke the cordon, while the remainder withdrew, taking the casualties with them. Our troops had dug themselves in and hence were fortunate enough to escape casualties.

At Shefayim and Rishpon, whither the attackers were trailed from the other coastguard station at Sidna Ali, police investigations were also met by resistance from the settlers, who manned barricades to prevent entry. A crowd of Jews, several thousands strong, who had come in buses and on foot from Tel Aviv, Petah Tiqvah and other places, surged round the military cordon and attempted to break it. Repeated warnings had no effect and our troops were forced to fire a total of five shots. At Rishpon, police search subsequently revealed a cache of explosives, grenades and military uniforms and also a fatally wounded Jew who appeared to have been shot some time previously.

It is necessary to take this opportunity to state categorically that the allegation to which some currency has been given that British troops opened fire without provocation on unarmed persons is completely without foundation. I am satisfied that the forces in Palestine have been displaying exemplary restraint in the face of great provocation.