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Jewish Market-traders Driven from Stalls Also in Belgium: Economic Depression Creates Anti-jewish Fe

May 21, 1931
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The crisis which has existed for about a year in the diamond industry, in which the Jews of Belgium are largely represented, has gradually resulted in the economic ruin of thousands of Jewish families who have no means now of earning their livelihood at their trade. Many of these Jews, having no other choice, have become pedlars and market dealers. The new competition which has thus been created for the Belgian market-people has caused an outbreak of antisemitism in this country, which hitherto has been regarded as free from anti-Jewish feeling. Clashes between Belgian and Jewish market-traders have been frequent in the last few weeks, resulting at times in serious fighting. Now the local authorities in several of the Antwerp suburbs have taken a hand and are refusing to allow the Jewish dealers to stand at the pitches they have held in the market-places.

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