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Jewish Battalions (Palestine)

Volume 104: debated on Tuesday 19 March 1918

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7.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can give an assurance that all Jews recruited for Jewish units will, as far as is reasonably possible, be utilised in the Palestine area?

I am pleased to be able to give this assurance. All recruits enlisted for Jewish battalions will be drafted to Jewish units in Palestine if medically fit. As long as the exigencies of the Service permit, Jewish battalions are definitely intended for employment in Palestine.

Can the hon. Gentleman state whether the Government have any special reason why the Jewish battalion should not be subjected to the ordinary risks on the Western Front?

I think the risk in Palestine is very often as great as on the Western Front.