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resentation in the Hagana High Command.
The recent Jaffa battle was undertaken by Irgun with the Hagana taking over in the
midst of battle. The Irgun's stated objective was the capture of Jaffa, while the Hagana's
stated objective was the defense of Tel Aviv against Arab attack. The British Army went
into action, killing over 70 Irgun members. According to the GOC this action has given
the Hagana courage to combat the Irgun, and in Haifa the Hagana has succeeded in
disarming the majority of the Irgun. The Stern gang undertakes joint operations with the
Irgun but is less active. The GOC stated that while the Irgun is ready to attack the British,
"The Stern gang wants to murder the British." The estimated strength of the Irgun and the
Stern gang is 8,000.
We believe that Hagana operations will remain defensively offensive until May 15, after
which they will go on an all-out offensive to secure the frontiers of the new Jewish state
and improve lines of communication. So far, Arab resistance has been ineffective and the
GOC and others believe the Jews will be able sweep all before them unless regular Arab
armies come to the rescue. With Haifa as example of Hanaga military occupation, it is
possible that their operations will restore order.
May 9, 10am – Secret Urgent
The Chief Secretary [of the Palestine Government] informed me confidentially that
their legal advisers had ruled that the mandate will terminate at 12 o'clock midnight on
Friday May 14, and not on May 15 as generally believed. The High Commissioner and the
remaining officials of the Palestine Government will depart on the afternoon of May 14
for Haifa.
The Chief Secretary expects Trans-Jordan and other Arab states to invade Palestine on
May 15 or 16 with the objective of occupying Arab areas. He seemed positive that there
would not be an attack in Jerusalem.
M ay 10, noon – Confidential Urgent
T he High Commissioner handed me, on the morning of May 10, the propounded terms
of a truce for Jerusalem which the Palestine Government is communicating to both the
Jews and the Arabs. [The High Commissioner, on May 7, met at Jericho with Azzam Pasha
and other Arab representatives in order to obtain a cease-fire for Jerusalem. The
communiqué issued by the Palestine Government noted that "The Arab League
representatives agreed to maintain the cease-fire in Jerusalem as from 12 noon tomorrow
on the understanding that the Jews also abstain from firing." (Telegram 558, May 7, from
Jerusalem 867N.01/5-748)]
Other Perspectives 219
The recent Jaffa battle was undertaken by Irgun with the Hagana taking over in the
midst of battle. The Irgun's stated objective was the capture of Jaffa, while the Hagana's
stated objective was the defense of Tel Aviv against Arab attack. The British Army went
into action, killing over 70 Irgun members. According to the GOC this action has given
the Hagana courage to combat the Irgun, and in Haifa the Hagana has succeeded in
disarming the majority of the Irgun. The Stern gang undertakes joint operations with the
Irgun but is less active. The GOC stated that while the Irgun is ready to attack the British,
"The Stern gang wants to murder the British." The estimated strength of the Irgun and the
Stern gang is 8,000.
We believe that Hagana operations will remain defensively offensive until May 15, after
which they will go on an all-out offensive to secure the frontiers of the new Jewish state
and improve lines of communication. So far, Arab resistance has been ineffective and the
GOC and others believe the Jews will be able sweep all before them unless regular Arab
armies come to the rescue. With Haifa as example of Hanaga military occupation, it is
possible that their operations will restore order.
May 9, 10am – Secret Urgent
The Chief Secretary [of the Palestine Government] informed me confidentially that
their legal advisers had ruled that the mandate will terminate at 12 o'clock midnight on
Friday May 14, and not on May 15 as generally believed. The High Commissioner and the
remaining officials of the Palestine Government will depart on the afternoon of May 14
for Haifa.
The Chief Secretary expects Trans-Jordan and other Arab states to invade Palestine on
May 15 or 16 with the objective of occupying Arab areas. He seemed positive that there
would not be an attack in Jerusalem.
M ay 10, noon – Confidential Urgent
T he High Commissioner handed me, on the morning of May 10, the propounded terms
of a truce for Jerusalem which the Palestine Government is communicating to both the
Jews and the Arabs. [The High Commissioner, on May 7, met at Jericho with Azzam Pasha
and other Arab representatives in order to obtain a cease-fire for Jerusalem. The
communiqué issued by the Palestine Government noted that "The Arab League
representatives agreed to maintain the cease-fire in Jerusalem as from 12 noon tomorrow
on the understanding that the Jews also abstain from firing." (Telegram 558, May 7, from
Jerusalem 867N.01/5-748)]
Other Perspectives 219
