Argentine Jewish Leader Reports on Rise of Anti-semitic Propaganda

Overt anti-Semitic attacks on Jews and Jewish property “has sensibly diminished” during the first half of 1963 but there has been an increase in publications instigating anti-Jewish hatred in Argentina, an expert reported today.

Dr. Mario Schteingart, president of the Argentine-Jewish Institute for Culture and Information, cited the official ban on such extremists groups as the Tacuara and the National Restoration Guard, which were involved in many months of anti-Semitic incidents in major Argentine cities.

Dr. Schteingart listed a variety of such publications. He mentioned large circulation publications, citing particularly the new “Arab Nation,” an attractive magazine published by the local office of the Arab League. He said the three issues published to date were full of the standard anti-Semitic charges against Jews, including alleged usury, double loyalty, and treachery in addition to the usual Arab derogations of Israel. He said the periodical was available on all newspaper stands.

Another group he listed was books and pamphlets published and distributed by the Huemel Publishing House, including publications signed by Father Julio Meinvielle, who has admitted acting as “spiritual adviser” to the Tacuara group.

Dr. Schteingart reported that attractively-printed reprints of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, the classic publication of anti-Semitism were on sale in most bookstores in Buenos Aires. He said that the reprint has the publication sources of “Maximo Pere” but that it was evident that it was edited by the Huemel House.

He also mentioned official Catholic publications, such as “Our Lady of Fatima Parish Bulletin,” which published such material as that of Juan Mslensek, a priest of Yugoslavian origin, which expressed “deep hate against the Jews” and simultaneously praised the Tacuara movement.

Another category was pamphlets such as one entitled “Free America” circulated mainly in high schools and universities. Dr. Schteingart said the fifth issue of the publication, dated in Montevideo, contained a variety of anti-Semitic accusations.

Finally, he cited some nationalistic publications circulating mostly among military forces which, he said, maintained a continuous propaganda on the theme that Communism and Judaism were “two faces of the same medal” and organized “in a vast world conspiracy.”

He said that he felt that such publications might be even more dangerous than the physical offenses because “they corrupt” the minds of large sectors of the Argentine people, particularly its younger generation.