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Schwartzbart Demands Jewish Participation in Polish-czech Talks

May 16, 1941
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Ignacy Schwartzbart, Jewish member of the Polish National Council, today criticized the Polish Ministry of Information for not seeking to bring about an understanding between Jews and Poles, both in England and Poland. He declared at a press conference that anti-Jewish propaganda was still stronger than the pro-Jewish, although Jestem Poliakem was forbidden in the army.

Discussing the planned Polish-Czechoslovak federation, Schwartzbart said he would demand that Czecho-Polish discussions about the Jewish problem in Central and Eastern Europe not be conducted without the participation of authorized Jewish representatives. He expressed confidence in the emergency of a harmonious, constructive solution of the Jewish problem in a regenerated Poland and dismissed “defeatist theories” that the Jews would be forced to leave Europe even after an Allied victory.

“The five million Jews suffering under the Hitler yoke and world Jewry are actively participating in the struggle of the Allies, not to the end that the Europe of tomorrow remain a hell for the Jews,” he said.

By command of the Bishop for the Polish forces the Polish Government has published a Polish edition of the New Testament, but omitted the Old Testament, although Jewish and Polish soldiers were anxious to have Polish Bibles and reportedly applied to the authorities for them. The Jewish Chronicle expressed regret that Jews were deprived of the benefits of official Polish cultural funds which are financing the edition.

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