M. Francois Coty, in the course of his articles in the “Figaro”, alleging that international Jewish financiers are at the bottom of all the ills of the world, praised the Agudath Israel as an organisation “representing some 800,000 or thodox Jews who are faithful to their race and who are opposed to the attempt to leave the religious territory of the Jewish people for political adventures, which will only end by alienating all sympathy of the nations”.
The Agudist organ, the “Israelit” of Frankfurt, refers to M. Coty’s articles in a leading article, in which it says:
While it is true that the Agudah favours direct peaceful negotiations in each State, rather than appeals to the League of Nations, while it is true that the Agudah energetically opposes non-religious political Zionism, yet there is not one iota of truth in the legend of a world domination on the part of any section of the Jewish people. It is deeply to be regretted that M. Coty, who undoubtedly has the opportunity of informing himself of the true position should make this calumnious accusation against a people which is, in truth, suffering enough”.
M. Coty’s expression of approval of the Agudah and its attitude, caused a good deal of comment in Jewish papers and a demand that the Agudah should publish a statement repudiating M. Coty’s charges.
The Agudath Israel will hardly be pleased with their new disciple and ally who has thrust himself upon them, one writer said, but until the Agudah has officially protested against Coty’s misuse of their arguments there is bound to be dissatisfaction and uneasiness among Jews.
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.
