Although Zionist fund-collecting in Rumania has been virtually banned under a Government decree and Jewish newspapers complain of restrictive measures on Zionist activities, a Jewish National Fund conference in Bucharest continued today in its second day without interruption.
It was explained in authoritative quarters here that while Zionist collections are prohibited, propaganda activities of the Jewish National Fund have not been hampered. Yet Jewish papers in Rumania charge that other Zionist gatherings have been banned and chalutzim (prospective Palestine pioneers) arrested.
The Rumanian authorities continue to insist that no Zionist collections will be permitted without special authorization from the Ministry of Health, which controls charitable activities. It was hoped however, that Interior Minister Demeter Juca, who has promised to examine the situation, would find a suitable compromise.
It appears that the authorities are especially intent on hampering the activities of Zionist labor groups, who are suspected as radicals. This may explain why the order stipulates that authorization is necessary for collections; the authorization could be withheld from laborites.
The text of Mr. Juca’s statement to Samuel Singer, president of the Rumanian J.N.F., was obtained here today. It says:
“I have not allowed and will not allow restrictive measures against Zionist activities. The prohibition on collections concerns only funds gathered without authorization.
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