Pro-Arab propaganda is making steady inroads in Brazil in the form of articles in small town newspapers and inexpensive pamphlets sold in bookstalls and in university bookstores.
The articles in the newspapers are subtle, without the cliches and verbal paroxysms that mark similar articles in the American and European press. The articles deal with issues such as the role of women in Arab society, the contributions of Arabs to the Brazilian economy and intellectual life, the political and economic development of Arab workers. These stories, written in a simple and straightforward manner, are geared toward a working class readership.
The pamphlets, equally well-written, deal with the aspirations of the Palestinian people, the aims of Arab liberation, and depict Israel and Zionists as oppressors and Gestapo-like individuals. These pamphlets are sold at prices ranging from three to six cruzeiros (fifty cents to one dollar), almost free of charge compared to other pamphlets of comparable numbers of pages, quality of printing and layout. They are evidently subsidized and thus are almost being given away.
Young Jews, especially on the campuses, are exposed to them, especially as there are no comparable pro-Israel or pro-Zionist pamphlets. The Zionist material available is written in a heavy style and is usually too expensive for the students. A recent issue of “Opinion.” an intellectual news-magazine, was devoted to the Middle East situation. A number of anti-Israel and anti-Zionist letters in this issue, in fact, the most vociferously anti-Israel, were written by young alienated Jews.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
