Upon the request of the Dean of the Agricultural College of Genbloux, Mordecai Shapiro, the Jewish student who stabbed the Russian student, Michaelson, was released on bail, set by the court at 20,000 franes.
The Dean requested that he be freed in order to enable Shapiro to take his final examinations, due this month. The Dean further testified to the investigating authorities concerning the relations prevailing among the various student groups. This testimony, it was understood, was distinctly favorable to the Jewish student.
It appears that Michaelson was the leader of the anti-Semitic student organization which includes Russian monarchists. Polish Nationalists and Roumanian Cuzists who are enrolled in the college. Members of this organization on the campus lately wore hatbands with the inscription “Beat the Dirty Jews.” Several days before their final quarrel. Shapiro met Michaelson and asked him to discontinue his disgraceful activities to which Michaelson replied. “Sale Juif” (dirty Jew).
Although it is definitely known that Shapiro was a member of the Zionist circle, a Nationalist and an anti-Communist, the charge that he was a Communist is still being made in the Belgian press. It was noted that even the Social Democratic organ, “Peuple,” repeated the charge.
In Jewish student circles in Belgium. Shapiro’s act, in resorting to violence is criticized. However, the hope is expressed that the occurrence will draw public attention to the conditions prevailing in the various student organizations in their relation to the Jewish student.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
