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Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hits Persecution of Hungarian Jews

June 5, 1944
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The Senate Foreign Relations Committee yesterday issued a statement condemning the threatened extermination of the 800,000 Jews of Hungary by the Germans, and appealed to the Hungarian people to assist the menaced Jews. The statement, which was broadcast to Europe by the Office of War Information, said.

“The people of the United States and all freedom-loving people are horrified by the news that Hitler has designated the 880,000 Jews in Hungary for death. That the people of Hungary should countenance the cold-blooded murder of innocent men, women and children is unthinkable. Once Hungary was the haven of tens of thousands who fled the Nazi terror in other lands. Once Hungary protected the helpless who sought refuge within its borders. Once Hungarians shielded their Jewish fellow-citizens. But now the Hungarian puppet government has joined the Nazis in their ruthless determination to do away with the Jews.

“While there is yet time the people of Hungary can demonstrate to the world that this unholy scheme is a betrayal of the true Hungarian spirit. They can hide the Jews until such time as they may help them to safety across the borders. They can refuse to purchase property stolen from the Jews. They can use every means to obstruct the Nazis and those Hungarians who are in league with the Nazis. They can keep watch and remember those who are accessories to murder and those who extend mercy, until the time when guilt and innocence will weigh heavily in the balance. That time is near.”

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