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Anti-jewish Laws Still in Force in Salonica, Shertok Reports After Visit to Greece

April 26, 1945
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German anti-Jewish laws, providing for the expropriation of Jewish-owned property, are still in force in Salonica, Moshe Shertok, political chief of the Jewish Agency, revealed at a press conference here today.

Shertok said, however, that in an interview with Premier Petros Voulgaris he was promised that the government would look Into the matter. The Agency’s political head disclosed that he had also urged the Greek premier to facilitate the emigration to Palestine of Jews, especially children, and to exempt frrm military service youths receiving agricultural training in preparation for emigrating to Palestine.

During a visit with Archbishop Damsakinos, Shertok said, he thanked the prelate for his defense of Jews during the occupation, and Damasakinos revealed that he had not been molested by the Nazis until he voiced his opposition to anti-Jewish measures.

While in Rome, following his visit to the Jewish Brigade, Shertok was received by the Pope, to whom he expressed Palestine Jewry’s appreciation of the assistance given Jews by the Church.

Shertok said that he knew “of no happier community” than the Jewish Brigade. “Although they are fighting and being killed,” he continued, “they know that before them are the graves of 5,000,000 murdered Jews and behind them are the eyes of the United Nations and world Jewry.”

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