UN Palestine Commission – Evacuation of British forces from Palestine – Communication from the Jewish Agency

UNITED NATIONS PALESTINE COMMISSION

Communication from the Representative of the Jewish

Agency for Palestine transmitting a request concerning

plans for the evacuation of British forces from Palestine

27 January 1948

UNITED NATIONS PALESTINE COMMISSION

Communication from the Representatives of the Jewish Agency for Palestine transmitting a request concerning plans for the evacuation of British Forces from Palestine

The following communication has been addressed to the Chairman of the Commission by the representatives of the Jewish Agency for Palestine: –

January 23, 1948

The Chairman

United Nations Palestine Commission

Lake Success, New York

Sir,

1. With reference to Mr. M Shertok’s address at the United Nations Palestine Commission on January 1, 1948 I am directed to request that the plans of the Mandatory Power with regard to the evacuation of British forcer from Palestine be communicated under the conditions of secrecy and confidence to the representatives of the Jewish Agency for Palestine.

2. The evacuation of British forces from areas included in the territory of the Jewish State will leave such areas without organized means of defense unless these can be prepared beforehand. If there is no complete continuity in measures necessary for defense, the Jewish population in certain areas will abruptly find itself undefended and exposed to easy aggression to. The authorized Jewish bodies have the grave responsibility of ensuring that the lives of Jewish residents in those areas are not endangered by the absence of adequate defense at any time. They cannot discharge that responsibility without prior knowledge of the Evacuation Plan.

3. The fulfilment of the Jewish Agency’s request to be granted this knowledge is therefore a measure essential for the protection of life and the maintenance of security.

I have the honor, Sir, to be

Yours faithfully,

(signed)

Aubrey L. Than

Office with the

[MISSED] the Commission