The Cabinet was today putting the finishing touches on a new anti-Jewish bill which, informed quarters believe, will not only further restrict participation of Jews in the nation’s economic and cultural life but will alter their political status. The bill, which is expected to be introduced in Parliament on Friday, following return to Rome of Italian Foreign Minister Galeazzo Ciano, will probably define Jews as an “alien ethnical” group. Government party circles indicate that the new legislation will settle the Jewish problem “once and for all.”
From its present ratio of 20 per cent, fixed by the half-year-old law on Jews, the Jewish participation in press, literature and art is expected to be reduced to seven per cent, and no Jews will be permitted to occupy any leading position in those fields. While the Jewish percentage in the medical, legal and engineering professions has not yet been decided, no new Jewish members will be admitted to the various chambers. Under the present law, new Jewish members are permitted up to five percent of the total admissions.
The new numerous Clausus purge of the nation’s economic life is expected to be completed within five years. in the field of journalism the purge is expected to be completed before January, 1940.
The new law will permit Jews to exercise their franchise only with regard to Jewish candidates. Christians will not be permitted to vote for Jews, to whom 10 seats will be allotted in Parliament. Exemptions for ex-servicemen will be restricted to veterans possessing the “great silver medal of bravery” and former officers decorated with a similar high award
Meanwhile, a meeting of the Budapest Jewish Community, held under the chairmanship of Court Councillor Samuel Stern, rejected its board’s resignation offer and urged continuation of the fight for Jewish rights. The meeting adopted a resolution expressing grief at the impending anti-Jewish legislation and reiterated a solemn protest against legal economic restrictions.
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.
