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 40

40 numerary police to whom specific functions were assigned by the. Government in case of emergency, 51. It was highly gratifying that when faced with this grave emergency the Jewish community of Palestine had been able to supply the requisite number of young men, able and willing to devote themeselves to defence duties. The existence of the new Defence Force fundamentally changed the security situation of the Jews. It provided an outlet for the pent-up energy of self-defence of the Jewish population. It greatly enhanced the prestige of the Jewish settlements in the eyes of their Arab neighbours and increased the self-respect and the sense of security of the settlements themselves. The fact that not a single established Jewish settlement throughout the country was evacuated during the disturbances of 1938 may definitely be set to the credit of the new Defence Force. It was also largely due to its existence that the wave of agricultural crime which swept over the country in 1936 was checked and that the crop of 1937 was completely saved. The great majority of the young men recruited were members of the settlements and residents of the town quarters in which they served. The possibility afforded by the Government of enlarging the force in proportion to the increase of the number of Jewish settlements has played a decisive part in the establishment of new settlements since the disturbances. Proposals for the retention of the supernumerary police force on a permanent basis were included in the Jewish Agency's case before the Royal Commission. 52. The arrival of large British forces rendered it necessary to make provision for their accommodation and comforts when stationed in Jewish areas. The Executive established a special liaison, initiated and directed for some tim by Lt. Col. F. Kisch, who was invited by the Executive to undertake this task and who readily placed his time at its disposal. A number of volutary workers were enrolled who did useful service in promoting local contacts. Assistance was rendered in the provision of quarters while local initiative was encouraged to organise entertainments and amenities for the troops. 53. The Jewish Agnecy continued to assist in the selection of suitable candidates for service in the regular police force. During the last two years hunderds of candidates entered the service by such