Political report of the Executive of the Jewish Agency submitted to the ... Zionist Congress and the ... session of the Council of the Jewish Agency · 1937-08-01 · 8.1937 · p. Seite 35

35 representations were made for the payment by Government of fair compensation to Jewish sufferers. On this subject protracted negotiations took place in which the Vaad Leumi also participated. The Jewish authorities urged, in the first instance, the payment of compensation for loss of life and bodily injury. In May, 1937, the Jewish Agency was informed that LP.30,000 had been allotted for compensation under this head. Negotiations for the payment of compensation in respect of damage to property are still continuing. The Jewish Agency likewise urged Government to come to the assistance of the large numbers of Jewish refugees who were compelled by the disorders to desert their homes in Jaffa and to seek shelter in Tel Aviv. When Government intimated its intention to discontinue its contribution to the relief provided, the Jewish Agency negotiated a settlement whereby an increased contribution was obtained. DEFENCE 45. From the very inception of the disturbances it appeared as both of moral and of practical importance that Jews should be permitted by the Government to participate in substantial numbers in their own defence. On the very first day of the outbreak, on April 19th, the Jewish Agency submitted a request for the enlistment of additional Jewish police in Tel Aviv. In subsequent interviews and correspondence with the High Commissioner during the week following the Jaffa outbreak a general request was made by the President of the Jewish Agency that Jews be armed for their selfdefence. Meanwhile the wave of agricultural crime which broke out on an unprecedented scale in the Emek and began spreading to other Jewish rural zones — the burning of crops, uprooting and cutting down of trees, wrecking of irrigation plants, etc.-—caused the Jewish Agency to urge the issue of arms to Jewish settlements and the grant of authority for armed Jewish guards to protect fields, gardens and outlying property. The only provision then in force for the security of Jewish settlements — apart from the general protection afforded by the police, who despite great exertion proved short handed to meet the emergency — consisted of a sealed armoury in each settlement, containing from five to ten Greener Guns and a few licensed shotguns in use by the watchmen. The sealed armouries, which had been established in 1930,