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Palestine Believed Planning to Free Arab Prisoners As Strike Spreads

May 17, 1937
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The authorities were believed planning to release 200 Arab prisoners from Acre jail today as a Moslem general strike in behalf of the captives, arrested during recent disorders, spread from Haifa and Acre to many villages in the surrounding area, the Havas News Agency reported.

The prisoners, who had refused to eat until freed, called off their hunger strike today on the advice of Arab leaders in Acre. Ten of the prisoners were severely ill from their prolonged fast.

Moslem delegations from Haifa, Ramleh and Acre called on Sir Arthur Grenfell Wauchope, British High Commissioner for Palestine, to plead for liberation of the prisoners.

Ten of the hunger strikers, arrested following disorders at Acre, had become severely ill from their prolonged fast. Sir Arthur promised yesterday to consider a request for their freedom presented by Moslem leaders, but the hunger strike continued.

The Mufti of Jerusalem and another Moslem chief called on the High Commissioner yesterday to present the petition. They also took the opportunity to protest against the latest quota set for Jews seeking admission to Palestine.

In Haifa, the strike virtually paralyzed the city since Jews were inactive because of Sabbath yesterday and the Shevuoth holiday today. Arab pupils participated in the strike.

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