UN Palestine Commission – Daily News Summary

UNITED NATIONS PALESTINE COMMISSION

PALESTINE

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY

Tel Aviv. 22 March – The Jewish Agency decided today to convene the Action Committee of the World Zionist Organization in a special session 4 April in Palestine, to draft a blueprint of a new policy in view of the United States’ proposal that partition be shelved.

A number of the Agency said, “Although members of the Jewish Agency are unanimously for rejecting other schemes than independence, there are differences of opinion on timing.” (N.Y. HERALD TRIBUNE)

Jerusalem, 22 March – Arabs stepped up local attacks on Jews for the third consecutive day. Jewish sources reported a large scale Arab attack on Har Tuv Colony, west of Jerusalem, and Arabs also attacked the colony of Navch Yaaguov, 7 miles north of Jerusalem. At least 5 Arabs were killed and 31 wounded in Haifa when Jews blew up a 3-ton truck filled with explosives in Iraq Street.

In two battles at Nitzanin near the Mediterranean Coast, 20 Jews and 31 Arabs were reported killed. (N.Y. TIMES)

Jerusalem, 22 March – Authoritative Jewish quarters said that when an independent Jewish State was established a proclamation would almost certainly be issued by the 32-Member Provisional Council of Government that was to have been formed under the partition plan.

While insisting that a Jewish State already exists, these quarters indicate a formal proclamation will be held up until Jewish leaders receive clarification of the U.S. Trusteeship proposed and of the U.S. Government’s future attitude toward Zionist plans. (N.Y. TIMES)

22 March, London – Herbert S. Morrison asserted today in the House of Commons that the U.S. change of policy on partition did not “materially affect” Britain’s position on the Palestine Question.

The statement was made after a Cabinet Meeting at which, it was believed, the Government reaffirmed its determination to surrender the Mandate on 15 May and withdraw British forces by 1 August.

An editorial, in The MANCHESTER GUARDIAN said the decision of the United States “suggests a levity of judgment and infirmity of purpose which do little credit to the greatest power in the world.” An for the British position, the editorial declared:

“We cannot change our policy or halt our withdrawal, but the least we can do is to use our influence and experience with the Jews, the Arabs and the United Nations to avert a terrible tragedy. Now that both the British and United States Governments have come to grief over Palestine, is it too much to ask that they should pocket their pride and work together to find some we out of the mess?” (N.Y. HERALD TRIBUNE)