UN Palestine Commission – Use of red ensign by Palestinian merchant ships – Letter from United Kingdom

10 May 21948

UNITED NATIONS PALESTINE COMMISSION

Communication Received from United Kingdom

Delegation Concerning Use of Red Ensign by

Palestinian Merchant Ships

The following communication, concerning merchant ships registered in Palestine and sailing under the red ensign, has been received from Mr. Fletcher-Cooke of the United Kingdom Delegation.

UNITED KINGDOM DELEGATION TO THE UNITED NATIONS

Empire State Building

New York 1, N.Y.

9th May, 1948

My dear Bunche,

I have been asked to bring to the attention of the Commission the question of the use of the Palestinian Flag by merchant ships.

2. Six ocean going ships registered in Palestine are at present sailing the seas wearing the red ensign defaced with a white ball in the flag bearing the word “Palestine”. The use of this flag was authorised by the British Admiralty.

3. On termination of the Mandate the wearing of this flag, which although defaced by the word “Palestine” is essentially a British flag, would appear to be inappropriate.

4. In these circumstances the British Admiralty have decided to revoke, with effect from 15^th May, 1948 the warrant under which authority is given for the flying of this flag.

5. I am sending a copy of this letter to Mr. Finn Moe, Rapporteur of the First Committee of the First Committee of the General Assembly.

Yours sincerely,

(signed)

(J. Fletcher-Cooke)

Dr. Ralph J. Bunche,

Principal Secretary to the United Nations

Commission on Palestine,

United Nations, Lake Success

Long Island, New York.