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Egyptian Army,” and all arrangements were made to begin recruiting 500 people, but this practical step stopped for reasons unknown to us. We therefore ask that this important project be initiated and expanded.

The benefit of recruiting Palestinian youth is not limited to the military aspect. It would raise the morale of the people of Palestine generally, spread a spirit of patience and hope among them, and make them feel their responsibility to defend their homeland.

We continued to press the Arab states and the Arab League Council, especially Egypt, to recruit Palestinians, particularly after the treacherous Jewish attack on the Palestinian camps in Gaza, in which a large number of refugees fell dead and wounded under enemy bullets and bombs, and after the repeated armed Jewish attacks extended to the neighboring Arab countries. I then promptly submitted two memoranda to the late Major General Abd al-Hakim Amer, then commander-in-chief of the Egyptian armed forces. Their texts follow.

Arab Higher Committee for Palestine No. S/133/3/1956

In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

To Major General of Staff Abd al-Hakim Amer, commander-in-chief of the Egyptian armed forces, may God preserve him

Peace, God’s mercy, and His blessings be upon you. You know that the Jewish military forces attacked the refugee camps in the Gaza area and killed a number of refugees with their bullets and bombs in al-Bureij and other camps.

Since we are confident that Your Excellency personally, as well as the Egyptian military authority, care about repelling the continuing Jewish aggression, and since the people of Palestine wish to defend themselves and their homes while participating in this effort with the Egyptian Army, the Arab Higher Committee asks Your Excellency to consider the following proposal:

1. Entrust the refugees with guarding their camps, selecting a group of strong young men for this task after training and arming them under the supervision of the Egyptian Army.