An appeal to Jews throughout the world and to enlightened public opinion, intellectuals and peace-lovers in all parts of the world to raise their voices in protest against the persecution of Zionist and Jewish leaders in Rumania, was published here today by the Jewish Agency.
Signed by Berl Locker, Agency chairman in Jerusalem, the appeal, noted that reports have been received from Rumania of new trials of Zionist and former Jewish leaders, and stressed that hundreds and thousands of Zionist and public leaders have been in jails and concentration camps in that country for the last five years. Only now, the statement pointed out, are some of them being brought to trial.
“If in the past the Rumanian authorities charged their victims with fantastic and ridiculous charges, they are being tried now simply because they want to remain Jews, and for their former Zionist activities,” Mr. Locker stated. “These trials are now conducted in camera, ending in the imposition of hard jail and concentration camp sentences.
“Every honest man must see that such trials gravely effect elementary human rights and abuse the elementary principles of justice. The purposes of the trials,” the statement continued, “is the physical and spiritual liquidation of the intelligentsia of the Rumanian Jewish community, which numbers 200,000 people.
“The Jewish nation and the world’s enlightened public opinion, the leaders of mankind, scientists, authors, journalists, the moulders of public opinion and the lovers of peace and freedom are challenged to raise their voices against this crusade of oppression and persecution, ” the statement declared.
“When Rumanian Jews had the chance to express their own opinion, seventy percent of them desired to go to Israel, despite the threats of the Rumanian authorities. One hundred and twenty thousand came to Israel until the Rumanian Government prohibited immigration in 1951.”
“The only solution for the Rumanian Jewish community, ” the statement stressed, “is immigration to Israel. Let the gates of Rumania be opened for them. Let the thousands of Zionists be released from prisons and concentration camps and be allowed to immigrate to Israel. The Rumanian Jewish community is not hostile to the existing regime, its only ‘sin’ is its longing for its homeland.”
The appeal concluded with the Zionist movement’s “warm blessings for the persecuted, for their devotion to their nation and for their courageous behaviour in their critical trials. The Zionist movement, the Jewish nation and the world’s progressive public opinion will not rest until their wrongs are righted by the Rumanian authorities,” the statement said.
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.
