Argentine Jews to Close Stores in Protest Against Anti-jewish Violence

The DAIA, central representative body of Argentine Jewry, today called upon all Jewish-owned firms and shops in Argentina to close their places of business Thursday afternoon in protest against the recent wave of anti-Jewish violence in reaction to the hanging in Israel of Adolf Eichmann.

The organization yesterday sent a vigorous protest to Argentine President Jose Maria Guido over the latest act of anti-Semitic violence which involved a 19-year-old Jewish girl, Graciela Narcisa Sirota, who was abducted and tortured by three hoodlums who carved a swastika on her breast with a razor. The girl’s parents said that the Buenos Aires police waited two days before accepting their complaint on the incident.

The Government today promised to “rigorously repress” such anti-Semitic incidents in the future. In an official statement, the Government said it was “taking cognizance of the savage attack against the young university student, Miss Graciela Narcisa Sirota and expresses its energetic repudiation of this fact as contrary to Argentine tradition. “The Government pledged” its resolve to repress with the full rigor of the laws, manifestations of such nature which gravely injure the social body of nations.”

Asked if he was satisfied with the Government statement on the anti-Jewish violence, Dr. Isaac Goldenberg, president of the DAIA, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency: “we are convinced that a movement of public opinion by all democratic forces in the Western world will possibly eliminate these dangerous ignition points. The Government will be able to resolve the situation only with action, not with words alone. Argentine Jewry will not tolerate the situation of a lack of protection and police passivity. Thursday’s half-day stoppage of all Jewish commerce, industry and offices in Argentina will be certain proof of that.”

Many outstanding political figures, including the newly designated Interior Minister Dr. Carlos Adrogue, today strongly condemned the attack. Commenting on the incident, Silvano Santander, will known opposition leader, declared: “I am ashamed as an Argentinean.”