Granting of the franchise to the Algerian Moslem population was urged today in a memorandum submitted by a delegation of Jewish leaders to the French Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry.
The memorandum, drawn up to refute allegations that Jews were responsible for maintenance of the oppressive native code in Algeria, said in part:
“Jews view with increasing sympathy the Moslem demand for equal rights hoping for a solution of the question in the Moslem’s favor.”
The memorandum quoted a statement recently published here by a group of leading Jews, which declared:
“If the Jews remain silent regarding the Moslems’ demands, it will encourage rumors that the Jews are opposed to them. If they protest against the injustice to their Moslem brothers, the Jews will be charged with fraternizing with them in order to defeat the French influence. Nevertheless it is the lot of the Jews to help just causes.
The statement deplored efforts to stir up hatred between Moslems and Jews, concluding: “Is it logical to deprive native Moslems of rights enjoyed by newly naturalized people?”
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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.
