Ads in Newspapers Denounce Zionism

Advertisements appearing recently in leading Argentinean newspapers denouncing Zionism and proclaiming support for “the rights of the Palestinian people” have been repudiated by some of the persons whose names appeared on them. The advertisements have been attributed by the DAIA, the central representative body of Argentine Jewry, to Arab League propagandist. An editorial in the newspaper La Opinion sharply criticized them as an attempt to sow dissension between the Arab and Jewish communities in this country. The first of the ads was published last week in the morning newspaper, Clarin, over the names of 100 persons, many of them Peronists, leftists and members of the extreme right wing.

Subsequently, La Razon, Argentina’s largest afternoon daily, carried a full page ad announcing the formation of a new Peronist-sponsored “Committee for Solidarity With Free Palestine” favoring the liberation of Palestine “from Zionist-Imperialist domination.” The ad was signed by Andres Framini, a Peronist leader. While he excoriated Zionists, he disavowed anti-Semitism and expressed support of Argentine Jews “who struggle on the side of the Argentine people for its (Argentina’s) social and national liberation.” The Peronistas are followers of former President Juan Peron.

Dr. Raul Bustos Fierro, a former Peronist whose name appeared in the Clarin ad, informed the DAIA in a letter today that he had never signed it. He said he supported “the heroic attitude of Israel and the Jewish people” and praised Israel’s record in the occupied territories. La Opinion said that other alleged signers now say they didn’t sign the ad. It said such ads usually appear when the United Nations General Assembly is in session and are promoted by Arab diplomats. The DAIA published ads in leading newspapers today warning that the Arab League was trying “again to confound the Argentine people.” The DAIA ads defended Israel’s treatment of its Arab population and the Arabs in the occupied territories.