(MacMillan, G. H. A. Lt.-General). Proclamations Published by the Authority of the General Officer Commanding His Britannic Majesty’s Forces in Palestine

(ZIONISM)

May 15th,

(Jerusalem)

1948

Text in English

Proclamation No. 1 of 1948

Official declaration and orders of withdrawal of British Military Forces from Palestine following the cessation of the British Mandate and the Declaration of Independence by the State of Israel. “Whereas His Britannic Majesty did prior to the 15th May 1948, have and exercise a Mandate over the territory of Palestine. And Whereas the said Mandate terminated on the 15th May, 1948. And Whereas his Britannic Majesty’s forces are now in the process of withdrawing from the aid territory. And Whereas for the purpose of such withdrawal these forces are occupying the Area more particularly described in the first Schedule hereto... And Whereas for the purpose of accomplishing the said withdrawal, I, being the Commanding Officer of the said forces, am vested with the powers of a Commander of Forces in occupation of foreign territory, as from 0001 hours on the 15th May, 1948 in the occupied area. Now, Therefore, I, Lieutenant-General, Gordon Holmes Alexander MacMillan, companion of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath; commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; Companion of the Distinguished Service Order; Military Cross- hereby proclaim to all it may concern the following...”