The deportation of middle class “unproductive elements,” including a large percentage of Jews, from the larger Rumanian cities to forced labor on farms has already started, it was reported here today. The report estimated that as many as 100,000 families, mostly Jews, are affected.
The report stated that the deportations are taking place from Bucharest, Ploesti, Galatz, Timisoare, Jassy and Krayvo. Former land owners, factory owners and other middle class elements who are unemployed at present are permitted to choose the area to which they are sent, the report stated. It added that convicted political prisoners are sent to labor camps without being accompanied by their families.
An appeal by the Jewish Agency executive to the Rumanian Government to halt the arrest of Zionist leaders in Rumania was voiced last night by Dr. Nahum Goldmann, co-chairman of the Agency executive.
Speaking for the current plenary session of the executive, Dr. Goldmann said that the meeting had “heard with anxiety about the wave of arrests of Jews in Rumania because of their Zionism. World Zionism, while appreciating the Rumanian Governments positive attitude toward Israel and the continuation of Jewish immigration from Rumania, cannot comprehend the punishment of those who are faithful to the Zionist ideal,” he added. He called for the release of Zionists now under arrest and their migration to Israel.
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.
