Jabotinsky in UK Commons Debates & Question Time

The raw archival material of the mentions of Ze'ev Jabotinsky in various debates and parliamentary questions in the House of Common:

1.

HC Deb 27 April 1920 vol 128 cc1020-2 1020

§38 Sir WILLIAM WHITLA asked the Secretary of State for War and Air (1) whether the recent outbreaks of disorder in Jerusalem were preceded by anti-Jewish political demonstrations in that city; whether he has any information to the effect that such demonstrations were worked up by agents from Egypt;
(2) on how many days between the 1st and 10th April rioting took place at Jerusalem between Mohammedans and Jews; what was the total number of casualties in the two communities, respectively; whether any damage was done to religious edifices or private property; if so, has any estimate been made of the amount of the damage; will any compensation be paid; and, if so, by whom?
54. Lieut.-Colonel MURRAY asked the Prime Minister the nature and composition of the inquiry that is being held into the recent disturbances in Jerusalem; and whether it is being conducted in public?
§57. Lieut.-Colonel POWNALL asked the Lord Privy Seal whether his attention has been called to the statement that Mr. Vladimir Jabotinsky had been condemned in Jerusalem to 15 years' penal servitude; and, if so, whether, in view of Mr. Jabotinsky's services during the War, he will have inquiries made as to the circumstances which have caused such a sentence?
§3. Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY asked the Under-Secretary for State for Foreign Affairs whether Mr. Vladimir Jabotinsky has been sentenced to 15 years' penal servitude; whether this is the gentleman who was largely instrumental in raising the 38th Royal Fusiliers, which fought in Palestine by the side of British regiments; on what charge was he tried; what was the composition of the court; whether any appeal will be allowed; and whether any Arabs or Christians have been tried in connection with the recent disturbances in Palestine?
§10. Mr. KILEY asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government sent instructions a few months ago to the British administration in Palestine that they were to regard the establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine as an accomplished fact; whether M. Vladimir Jabotinski, who raised the first Jewish regiment to fight in the British Army in Palestine, was sentenced a few days ago by a British court-martial to 15 years' penal servitude according to the Ottoman penal code; and whether he will explain the reason for basing the sentence upon this code, in view of the Government's declared policy concerning Palestine?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I have been asked to reply. I shall be much obliged if all these questions are put down again for next Thursday, as the information necessary to enable me to make a statement is still incomplete in several important particulars, and I am awaiting a further telegraphic report from Lord Allen by on various points, including especially the case of Lieutenant Jabotinsky.
1022
§Colonel WEDGWOOD Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether Mr. Jabotinsky is still in prison, and, if so, where?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I understand that he is confined in Jerusalem.
§Colonel WEDGWOOD Have instructions been sent that he shall be properly treated in prison?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I have sent no instructions of that kind, but the British authorities are responsible for the proper treatment of prisoners.
§Colonel WEDGWOOD Were the British officers responsible for the pogrom which took place?
§Sir W. WHITLA Is it not a fact that Mr. Jabotinsky is treated as a political prisoner?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I do not think that is so. I am in communication with Lord Allenby by telegram, and I wished the series of telegrams to be completed before I make a statement to the House.

2.

HC Deb 15 February 1922 vol 150 cc1012-3 1012

§76. Mr. RAPER asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, as stated in the Palestine Press, Messrs. 1013 Jabotinsky and David Yellin were implicated in the importation and smuggling of arms into Palestine through the port of Haifa?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I have no knowledge of the Press reports referred to in the question. I am awaiting a full report on the incident from the High Commissioner for Palestine.
§Mr. RAPER Has the right hon. Gentleman's Department received any report at all on this question?
§Mr. CHURCHILL No, Sir; not according to my information.
§Colonel WEDGWOOD Is this the same Mr. Jabotinsky who took part in the raising of the Jewish Legion in the War?
§Mr. CHURCHILL It sounds very much like it.

3.

HC Deb 04 May 1920 vol 128 cc1877-9 1877

§29. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY asked the Secretary of State for War and 1878 Air whether he can now state whether the British military authorities received any warning of the possibility of anti-Jewish rioting in Jerusalem on the occasion of the Moslem pilgrimage on 4th April last; if so, what steps were taken to preserve order; and whether Mr. Jabotinsky will be allowed to appeal against his sentence of 15 years' penal servitude?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I am still awaiting the full reports of the recent occurrences in Jerusalem, but I take this opportunity of informing the House that as well as the reduction of sentence on Mr. Jabotinsky to one year's imprisonment without hard labour, the sentences on the 19 Jews of three years' penal servitude, have been reduced to six months' imprisonment without hard labour. The sentences of 15 years' penal servitude on the two Moslems convicted of rape and on the Jew convicted of unlawful wounding have been allowed to stand.
According to my latest information, the total numbers tried by Military Court in Jerusalem amounted to 31, composing 21 Jews, 9 Mohammedans, and I Christian, As well as the sentences already enumerated the following additional persons have been dealt with or are awaiting trial:
1 Moslem convicted. Charge and sentence not yet known.
6 Moslems charged with making speeches in public places calculated to arouse hostilities. One of these was found guilty, sentenced to two years' imprisonment and fined £20. Three were acquitted and two absconded from bail. One Christian found guilty of a similar offence was awarded two years' imprisonment and fined £20.
5 Jews are now being tried on a charge of being in possession of firearms.
The following are also awaiting trial:
1 Jew for attempted murder.
2 Jews for being in possession of fire-arms.
1 Moslem for, it is believed, unlawful wounding.
3 Moslems for assisting the escape of absconders.
1879
§Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY Can the right hon. Gentleman now say whether Lieutenant Jabotinsky will be allowed to appeal against this reduced sentence?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I cannot say, without notice.
Major LOWTHER: Was the sentence of fifteen years' penal servitude confirmed by Lord Allenby?
§Mr. CHURCHILL The sentence has been reduced by Lord Allenby.

4.

HC Deb 29 April 1920 vol 128 cc1397-402 1397

§23. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Mr. Vladimir Jabotinsky has been sentenced to 15 years' penal servitude; whether this is the gentleman who was largely instrumental in raising the 38th Royal Fusiliers, which fought in Palestine by the side of British regiments; on what charge was he tried; what was the composition of the Court; whether any appeal will be allowed; and whether any Arabs or Christians have been tried in connection with the recent disturbances in Palestine?
§24. Mr. KILEY asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether the Government sent instructions a few months ago to the British administration in Palestine that they were to regard. the establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine as an accomplished fact; whether Mr. Vladimir Jabotinsky, who raised the first Jewish regiment to fight in the British Army in Palestine, was sentenced a few days ago by a British court-martial to 15 years' penal servitude according to the Ottoman penal code; and whether he will explain the reason for basing the sentence upon this code, in view of the Government's declared policy concerning Palestine?
§37. Mr. SPOOR asked the Prime Minister whether he has received any information indicating a lack of sympathy on the part of the British military administration in Palestine with the Government's declared policy of establishing in that country a Jewish national home; and whether he can say when the military administration will be exchanged for a civil administration in order that 1398 practical steps may be taken without delay to carry out the Government's repeated promise?
38. Lieut.-Colonel MURRAY asked the Prime Minister the nature and composition of the inquiry that is being held into the recent disturbances in Jerusalem; and whether it is being conducted in public?
§61. Lieut.-Colonel POWNALL asked the Lord Privy Seal whether his attention has been called to the statement that Mr. Vladimir Jabotinsky had been condemned in Jerusalem to 15 years' penal servitude; and, if so, whether, in view of Mr. Jabotinsky's services during the War, he will have inquiries made as to the circumstances which have caused such a sentence?
§124 Sir WILLIAM WHITLA asked the Secretary of State for War and Air (1) whether the recent outbreaks of disorder in Jerusalem were preceded by anti-Jewish political demonstrations in that city; whether he has any information to the effect that such demonstrations were worked up by agents from Egypt;
(2) on how many days between the 1st and 10th April rioting took place at Jerusalem between Mahommedans and Jews; what was the total number of casualities in the two communities, respectively; whether any damage was done to religious edifices or private property; if so, has any estimate been made of the amount of the damage; will any compensation be paid; and, if so, by whom?
§128. Mr. ORMSBY-GORE asked the Secretary for War and Air whether the British military authorities in Palestine were warned beforehand by the Zionist Commission that anti-Jewish excesses were probable at the time of the Nebi. Moussa festival; why these warnings were disregarded by the chief military administrator; and whether the formation of a Jewish self-defence corps was amply justified under the circumstances?
§The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR and AIR (Mr. Churchill) I have been asked to answer. I am not yet in possession of full details of recent events in Jerusalem, but from abridged reports which have been received by the War Office it appears that disturbances commenced in 1399 Jerusalem on the 4th April, on the occasion of the annual Moslem pilgrimage to Nebi Musa, and quickly developed into anti-Jewish riots. As the native police proved unreliable they were removed, control of the city handed over to British troops, and martial law declared. Spasmodic anti-Jewish outbreaks occurred up till the 8th April, from which date the situation became normal. Disturbances appear to have been confined to Jerusalem, and did not extend to the country villages. I regret to say that about 250 casualties occurred, of which nine-tenths were Jewish.
§ I am not in a position to state what actual damage occurred in the city, but there were, undoubtedly, certain cases of arson. As the House will realise, these events took place among Eastern people, and feeling appears to have run high. On such an occasion, there is no doubt but that both Moslems and Jews represented to the British Administration that the other was at fault, but in this connection a military Court of Inquiry has been constituted to inquire into the causes which led up to the disturbances. This Court does not sit in public, but religious heads of all denominations have been invited to attend or to send representatives.
§ The chief offenders have been tried before a military Court, and heavy sentences imposed. Jabotinsky was sentenced to 15 years' penal servititude for the crimes of possessing firearms, instigation to disobedience by arming the populace, conspiracy and preparing means to carry out acts of riot, while 19 other Jews, convicted of being in possession of firearms, were each sentenced to three years' penal servitude. Two Moslems, convicted of the rape of two Jewish women, were each sentenced to 15 years' penal servitude, and seven other Moslems, arrested in possession of firearms, are awaiting trial. The above prisoners, including Jabotinsky, are now confined as second division prisoners at Acre. They are confined to prison, but will be excused all hard labour and prison fare.
§ With regard to the whole affair, including the above sentences, as I told the House on the 27th instant, I am in direct communication with Lord Allenby, and I regret I have not yet received his answer, and further questions by hon. Members which are not covered by this 1400 statement must remain unanswered until I am in full possession of the facts.
§Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question? Is this Jabotinsky the same gentleman who raised the Jewish Battalion, the 38th Royal Fusiliers?
§Mr. CHURCHILL Yes.
§Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY Will any appeal be allowed against this decision?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I have said that the whole matter is being considered, and that I am asking for further information.
Lieut.-Colonel MURRAY: Does the Government intend to send out a Commission of inquiry?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I think it is much more reasonable to await the full report of the Governor, Lord Allenby. When we know what were the full reasons which actuated the court-martial, and the full opinion of the responsible authorities we shall be able to form an opinion about it, but, of course, in the ultimate issue it must be His Majesty's Government that must bear the responsibility of taking the final decision in such a matter.
§Mr. SPOOR: Will the right hon. Gentleman reply to my question as to when the existing military administration will be replaced by civil administration?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I am afraid I cannot do that, but I hope it may be as early as possible.
§Commander Viscount CURZON Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether Mr. Jabotinsky is a purely Jewish resident, of Jewish descent, in Jerusalem?
§Lord R. CECIL Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us how soon the native police were replaced by British soldiers; whether rioting was allowed to go on for a day or two before any such replacement began or whether it was done immediately; and whether a precisely similar sentence to that passed on Mr. Jabotinsky has been passed upon Moslems for the rape of Jewish women?
§Mr. CHURCHILL In reply to the first part of the question, if it is suggested that the British authorities deliberately connived at a state of disorder amounting to a pogrom against the Jewish population, the suggestion is entirely 1401 without foundation. I cannot say exactly at what stage the native police were relieved, but I am quite certain they were relieved at the moment when the authorities on the spot thought that the state of disorder could be most speedily terminated by such action. So far as the comparison between the two sentences is concerned, I am awaiting telegraphic reports, which we have asked for, as it would be very improper for me, without any such information, to attempt to draw conclusions from the apparent anomalous discrepancies which may appear in these cases.
§Colonel WEDGWOOD: Is it not a fact that this Committee of inquiry is to inquire into the question of the preparations against this pogrom that might have been made in consequence of warnings given to the administration, and whether, if that is so, it is not unusual to appoint on the Committee the very people whose conduct is being inquired into?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I do not think that is so; the officers appointed—General Palin (President), Brigadier - General Wildblood, and a Colonel from the 3rd Division—I speak from the information I have at the moment—are not the officers concerned.
§Colonel WEDGWOOD Do they not belong to the same trade union?
§Lord R. CECIL Will the right hon. Gentleman further inquire whether or not, as alleged, any warning was given to the British authorities that a riot of this kind was in preparation, and whether they took the steps they did take in consequence of that information?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I certainly will make further inquiries. The matter does require full inquiry; but I am very much predisposed to the belief that our officers on the spot did their best under the circumstances. Further review of the whole circumstances by the Government may result in additional remedial measures being taken.
27. Lieut.-Colonel MALONE asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the satisfaction with which the Balfour declaration concerning the status of Palestine (which has been confirmed by France, Italy, America, and other Allied Powers) was received by the oppressed and persecuted Jewish peoples in Poland 1402 and other parts of the globe; and whether he will press for an early decision of the Palestine question by the Supreme Council?
§Mr. BONAR LAW I cannot add anything to the answer given on the 27th instant to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Bedwelty.

5.

HC Deb 27 April 1920 vol 128 cc1020-2 1020

§38 Sir WILLIAM WHITLA asked the Secretary of State for War and Air (1) whether the recent outbreaks of disorder in Jerusalem were preceded by anti-Jewish political demonstrations in that city; whether he has any information to the effect that such demonstrations were worked up by agents from Egypt;
(2) on how many days between the 1st and 10th April rioting took place at Jerusalem between Mohammedans and Jews; what was the total number of casualties in the two communities, respectively; whether any damage was done to religious edifices or private property; if so, has any estimate been made of the amount of the damage; will any compensation be paid; and, if so, by whom?
54. Lieut.-Colonel MURRAY asked the Prime Minister the nature and composition of the inquiry that is being held into the recent disturbances in Jerusalem; and whether it is being conducted in public?
§57. Lieut.-Colonel POWNALL asked the Lord Privy Seal whether his attention has been called to the statement that Mr. Vladimir Jabotinsky had been condemned in Jerusalem to 15 years' penal servitude; and, if so, whether, in view of Mr. Jabotinsky's services during the War, he will have inquiries made as to the circumstances which have caused such a sentence?
§3. Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY asked the Under-Secretary for State for Foreign Affairs whether Mr. Vladimir Jabotinsky has been sentenced to 15 years' penal servitude; whether this is the gentleman who was largely instrumental in raising the 38th Royal Fusiliers, which fought in Palestine by the side of British regiments; on what charge was he tried; what was the composition of the court; whether any appeal will be allowed; and whether any Arabs or Christians have been tried in connection with the recent disturbances in Palestine?
§10. Mr. KILEY asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government sent instructions a few months ago to the British administration in Palestine that they were to regard the establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine as an accomplished fact; whether M. Vladimir Jabotinski, who raised the first Jewish regiment to fight in the British Army in Palestine, was sentenced a few days ago by a British court-martial to 15 years' penal servitude according to the Ottoman penal code; and whether he will explain the reason for basing the sentence upon this code, in view of the Government's declared policy concerning Palestine?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I have been asked to reply. I shall be much obliged if all these questions are put down again for next Thursday, as the information necessary to enable me to make a statement is still incomplete in several important particulars, and I am awaiting a further telegraphic report from Lord Allen by on various points, including especially the case of Lieutenant Jabotinsky.
1022
§Colonel WEDGWOOD Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether Mr. Jabotinsky is still in prison, and, if so, where?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I understand that he is confined in Jerusalem.
§Colonel WEDGWOOD Have instructions been sent that he shall be properly treated in prison?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I have sent no instructions of that kind, but the British authorities are responsible for the proper treatment of prisoners.
§Colonel WEDGWOOD Were the British officers responsible for the pogrom which took place?
§Sir W. WHITLA Is it not a fact that Mr. Jabotinsky is treated as a political prisoner?
§Mr. CHURCHILL I do not think that is so. I am in communication with Lord Allenby by telegram, and I wished the series of telegrams to be completed before I make a statement to the House.

6.

HC Deb 26 March 1930 vol 237 cc404-5 404

§23. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now state the circumstances under which Mr. Jabotinsky was convicted by a military court in 1920 to 15 years' penal servitude; whether he is aware that this was almost immediately afterwards reduced to one 405 year's imprisonment in the second division, and that Mr. Jabotinsky was amnestied and released, but subsequently appealed against the original sentence, as a result of which the proceedings of the military court were quashed with the exception of the finding that Mr. Jabotinsky had been guilty of being in possession of a revolver without a licence; and whether Mr. Jabotinsky entered into any undertaking never to return to Palestine?
§Dr. SHIELS The events referred to took place before the Colonial Office had any connection with Palestine; but I have ascertained that the facts are substantially as stated in the second part of the question. As regards the last part, I am not aware that Mr. Jabotinsky ever entered into the undertaking referred to.
§Sir A. POWNALL Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the services rendered by Mr. Jabotinsky during the War, especially in regard to the formation of a Jewish battalion?
§Colonel HOWARD-BURY Is the hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. Jabotinsky went to Palestine and made a very violent incendiary speech—
§Mr. SPEAKER The hon. and gallant Gentleman is always giving information instead of asking questions.
§Captain E. N. BENNETT Is it not a fact that a person deported from Palestine or any other country is ipso facto debarred from returning as and when he likes?
§Colonel WEDGWOOD Was he deported?
§Mr. ORMSBY-GORE Is it not a fact that the sentence was quashed and never ought to have been passed, and the hon. Member's suggestion is, therefore, without foundation?

7.

HC Deb 16 September 1931 vol 256 cc816-7 816

§11. Colonel WEDGWOOD asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Lieutenant Jabotinsky may now be allowed hack in Palestine?
Mr. THOMAS After considering this matter further in consultation with the acting High Commissioner, I am satisfied that the circumstances are not such as would justify any modification, at the present juncture, of the attitude adopted by the late Secretary of State.
§Colonel WEDGWOOD Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Lieutenant Jabotinsky fought for us in the War and was decorated, and that he has been excluded from Palestine solely because of the Arab massacres?
Mr. THOMAS The question as to what should be the attitude to those who fought in the War will have to be considered in relationship to their present 817 attitude. I am sure that the late Secretary of State, who is always anxious to preserve what is called freedom of speech, arrived at this decision in the best interests of Palestine and in the best interests of everybody.
§Colonel WEDGWOOD May I ask whether the previous Secretary of State, who knew Jabotinsky well, did not have quite a different opinion of him?
Mr. THOMAS I do not know the opinion of the previous Secretary of State, but the late Secretary of State, Lord Passfield, considered the whole situation before coming to a decision. I see no reason to alter his decision.
§Colonel HOWARD-BURY Is not this gentleman a firebrand; and would it not be unwise to allow him to enter Palestine in the present state of affairs in that country?

History as it was being made.

^