The authorities in Nazi-occupied countries today intensified measures against the Jews on allegations of aiding Soviet Russia, announcing execution of 500 in Rumania, rounding up numerous Jews in Bulgaria and threatening death to those in Poland who attempted to make contact.
Seeking to make the Jews the scapegoat for the failure of the Rumanian-German forces to make progress in the invasion of Soviet Bessarabia, the Bucharest Government announced execution of 500 “Jewish Communists” in Jassy on charges of firing on soldiers behind the lines.
Admonishing Rumanians to keep close watch on Jews suspected of Communist sympathies, the Government declared that all Jews aiding or hiding Communist agents would be executed together with all members of their families.
“The Soviets employ every means of sabotage, disorder and aggression behind the front,” the communique said. “They have parachutists, spies, terrorists and other agents who contact their local agents and the Jewish Communist population for the purpose of organizing acts of aggression.”
At the same time, German press reports from Sofia said numerous Communist agents and collaborators, “especially Jews,” had been arrested in Bulgaria.
Three new decrees tightening control on political agitators and sharpening measures against the Jews have been issued by Interior Minister Grabovski, the German reports said. Under the decrees, issued within the framework of the Law for National Security, any attempts by foreign agents and “irresponsible persons to disturb the nation’s security and the people’s belief in its Army leadership through rumors must be suppressed with all means.” Particularly severe measures will be taken against Jews engaging in such activities, it was said.
Meanwhile, Hans Frank, German Governor-General of Poland, in a speech on the Cracow radio, threatened death to any Jew or Pole who attempted to make contact with the Soviet forces. “The Poles and Jews will pay dearly for any attempt to aid the enemy,” Frank asserted.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
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.
