Dr. Israel Kastner. controversial figure in recent libel actions and charged with having collaborated with the Nazis while he was a leader of the Jewish community in occupied Hungary, was shot three times last night. He is in serious condition in a hospital here.
The unknown assailant waited for Dr. Kastner near his home and when he intercepted the victim asked that he identity himself. Dr. Kastner, who was returning from work at the Hungarian-language daily Uj Kelet, admitted his identity and was promptly shot. The incident has had wide repercussions in this country.
Dr. Kastner had been accused, in a pamphlet, of having collaborated with the Nazis. At the time of the charges by pamphleteer Malkiel Gruenwald, Dr. Kastner was an employee of the Israel Government and the Attorney General prosecuted Mr. Gruenwald for libel of a government official. The magistrate held for Mr. Gruenwald on all accounts except one. The government has the case up on appeal.
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