February 17, 1949 Arab Refugees

“In my opinion, our first urgent object must be the return of the refugees.  We are unable to return them honourably.  Let us therefore try to make them our Fifth Column in the struggle yet before us.  Up to now they (the Jews) argued that there was a state of war between us and one could not ask them to accept soldiers, enemies, into their midst.  But at present, if we shall appear in the guise of peace-seekers, they will have no argument.”

Source: Arab Refugees. (p. 25); The Lebanon weekly “As Sayyad” February 17,1949