Anti-semitic Activity in France

The renewed outbreak of anti-Semitic activity in recent weeks will not be tolerated by the Jews of France, Chief Rabbi Jacob Kaplan warned here. In a television interview he expressed deep concern at the murder of Pierre Goldman, the Jewish left-wing leader who was prominent in the May, 1968 student anti-government demonstrations. Goldman, who was linked to criminal activities in the early 1970s, was gunned down here last week by three men suspected of being members of a right-wing terrorist group. Last Friday some 5000 people gathered in the square where Goldman was killed and chanted anti-fascist slogans.

Kaplan also cited as anti-Semitic actions the spate of bomb attacks against anti-Nazi personalities and shops owned by Jews. On Saturday night a bomb exploded in front of the home of Col. (ret.) Jean Legand who had slapped former SS officer Otto Skorzeny outside a television studio on Feb. 24, 1975. Legand was not at home when the bomb exploded. Police found Nazi slogans and signs on a wall in the building where he resides.

Yesterday a bomb explosion destroyed a shop owned by Jewish fashion designer Daniel Hechter. There was extensive property damage but no one was hurt.

The Chief Rabbi told his television audience that “many anti-Semitic actions have been carried out since the beginning of the year, notably the despicable bomb attack on the Jewish students canteen here” last March when 26 persons were injured “We are still under the shock of these actions and we cannot bear this any more. I ask that all necessary measures be taken to avoid the continuation of these anti-Semitic actions. Must I tell the Jews to shut up and accept this? This is unthinkable.”

Meanwhile, the International League Against Racism and Anti-Semitism lodged a complaint before a court in Grenoble in southeast France against the so-called “Family of Love” sect which has been distributing anti-Semitic leaflets in that city since last month.