Yugoslav Jews Protest Anti-semitism

The Jewish community of Yugoslavia has issued a protest against recent acts “inciting open demonstrations of anti-Semitism” which are contrary to “the constitutional and social order of Yugoslavia and her basic political determinations,” it was reported here by the World Jewish Congress.

The protest appeared as a front-page editorial in the most recent issue of “The Jewish Review,” the official organ of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Yugoslavia, the central representative body of Yugoslav Jewry.

According to the editorial, entitled “Discrimination or Threat,” in the last few weeks “Jewish citizens found themselves in a situation of being singled out and made the target of discriminatory practices which could not but disturb them and awake a feeling of bitterness.” Given as the direct cause of this situation “were some aspects of reporting on Near East developments and excesses which occurred ….”

Various articles and incidents were cited by the editorial. A recent article in the Belgrade daily “Politika” stated that “the nation which a few decades ago was the victim of merciless extermination is now diligently busying itself with similar deeds toward new victims.” A poster at a meeting in Belgrade on July 9 carried the slogan “Sons of Judah-we shall avenge Beirut.” The Jewish Community also reports receiving anonymous letters and threatening phone calls.

The editorial concludes that “such occurrences can be guarded against and averted only by resolute protection of what are the common achievements of the Yugoslav social revolution and of the anti-fascist War of National Liberation in which, in a relatively great number, Jews also participated to defend human freedoms, dignity and equality.”

Since the founding of the WJC in 1936, the Federation of Jewish Communities has been a full member of the Congress. Its president, Dr. Lavoslav Kadelburg, is a vice chairman of the WJC European Branch.