Argentine Jews Praised for Acting with Dignity During Outbreaks

Dr. Israel Goldstein, world president of Keren Hayesod, the fund-raising arm of the World Zionist Organization, voiced high praise here today for the “great dignity and discipline” with which the Argentine Jewish community has faced the recent outbreaks of anti-semitism in this country. Dr. Goldstein, who came here two weeks ago to aid the annual United Jewish Campaign, made his statement before leaving for Montevideo to participate in a similar campaign in Uruguay.

Dr. Goldstein lauded particularly the DAIA, the central organization of Argentine Jewry, and the organization’s leadership, for the manner in which it has met the anti-Semitic attacks by Nazi and other right-wing elements. He warned that, though calm prevails here now in regard to racist activities, a critical situation may recur “since the economic situation here continues unstable.”

The shocks felt by Argentine Jewish youth, as a result of the recent events, said Dr. Goldstein, “have led many of them to think seriously of emigrating to Israel.” The Jewish college youth here, he said, “has been alienated from Jewish life and, unfortunately, very little is being done about that situation.”

Meanwhile, today. Federal police continued probing the origin of the anti-Semitic disturbances. Police raided and searched the headquarters of six organizations, three of which are aligned with the extreme right wing, and three lined up with the Communists. Several persons were apprehended and released after several hours of questioning.

(The Indian Express, large-circulation, influential daily newspaper in New Delhi, today blamed Argentina’s “tradition of giving asylum” to Nazis and fascists for the recent anti-Semitic manifestations in that country. “Argentine,” said the newspaper, “has extended asylum to men whose crimes against humanity make them unwelcome in any other civilized country.”)