British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Supplement - Page 24

(b) Counter measures. (p. 215)

(§ 69)

Coastal patrols of the Royal Navy, working in conjunction with the coast guard stations on land, have proved effective, in the main, in preventing illegal immigrants by sea from disembarking in Palestine; but, for the prevention of the sea-traffic in illegal immigrants, reliance must rest ultimately on the Governments of the countries of embarkation acting in pursuance of their international obligations.

(§ 72a)

In August, 1946 His Majesty's Government announced that, henceforth, immigrants arriving illegally in Palestine would be conveyed to Cyprus or elsewhere and housed in camps there until a decision could be taken as to their future. Illegal immigrants are deported from Palestine in exercise of the powers vested in the High Commissioner by Regulation 112 of the Defence (Emergency) Regulations.

(p. 217)

(§ 77b) -

Among the regulations made under the Defence (Emergency) Regulations, 1945, the following have been made as a specific counter measure for the prevention of illegal immigration by sea :-

(1) Regulation 107** which provides for the forfeiture of any vessel, aircraft or vehicle used tO bring prohibited immigrants, i.e. persons who have entered Palestine in contravention of the Immigration Ordinance, and makes any person abetting the entry of illegal immigrants, including the owner, agent or master of any vessel or aircraft, liable to a fine of £P.l,000 and/or imprisonment for eight years.

(2) Regulation 107 A** which provides for the pursuit, search and bringing to port of any vessel or aircraft, the stopping and search of any vehicle, the detention of any vessel, aircraft or vehicle liable to forfeiture, the detention without warrant of any person suspected of being a prohibited immigrant, and gives power (which may be delegated) to the High Commissioner to direct the detention of a prohibited immigrant.

(p. 221)

The following table gives the number of persons (other than Jews) according to country of origin who have been deported by the police in the year 1946 and in the six years 1941-46 :-

____________________________
** P.G. No. 1470 of 28.1.46, p. 161.

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