asked the Minister for External Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to allegations made, at a meeting of Zionist Jews in Switzerland, that high rates of pay and invitations to loot Jewish property in Palestine, were being made in Dublin to induce Irish nationals to join the Palestine police force; whether he can state if the person who made the allegations is representative of any recognised organisation; and if so whether, in the event of the statements in question being untrue, he will take steps to have the allegations officially denied.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Palestine Police Force.
My attention has been drawn to the allegations referred to by the Deputy. I understand that the person to whom they were attributed was an official delegate of the Zionist Revisionist Organisation to the recent congress at Basle.
I am informed that English newspapers circulating in this country have carried advertisements inviting men to join the Palestine police force. Apart from these advertisements, I have no evidence of any efforts being made in this country to recruit men for that force.
I understand that a person named Mr. Zipp alleged that persons were allowed to offer inducements to Irish nationals to join the police force in the shape of high rates of pay and invitations to loot Jewish property in Palestine. It is manifest that the allegation is a disgusting lie. Has the Minister for External Affairs taken any steps to require the Zionist organisation to repudiate this blackguard or to put on record the fact that he is a liar and a fraud in making these allegations? Has the Minister done anything about it?
I have done nothing further than to make inquiries and, as I stated, there is an advertisement here taken from one of the English newspapers circulating in this country asking men to join the Palestinian forces and stating what the remuneration was all found.
But the allegation made in public is that the inducements offered were an invitation to loot Jewish property in Palestine. Does the Minister not know that the allegation is a lie, that such offers would not be made in this country and would not be permitted by the British Government? Has the Minister taken any steps to rebuke the organisation which has allowed an allegation of that kind to pass unnoticed and to get it repudiated?
I have not.
You have not?
May I point out that it is quite impossible when statements of this kind are made to investigate them home? How can I know but that there may be somebody who made statements of this kind? I am saying that the only thing that I am aware of relating to this matter was the advertisement published in English newspapers seeking recruits. The advertisement did not bear out the statement made by this gentleman.
Why not compel the organisation to produce evidence of these offers or else repudiate Mr. Zipp?
What inducements were offered to the Black and Tans?
The Deputy should not try to draw answers on his own head.
I am perfectly certain that there are very few Irishmen, if any, who would want to take up that occupation.