Emphasizing that one of the war aims of the Belgian government is reestablishment of the principle which guaranteed “freedom of opinion and belief to all, ” Hubert Pierlot, premier of the Belgian Government-in-exile, today outlined his country’s position on the Jewish question.
“The laws and customs of Belgium,” Mr Pierlot stated, “have never allowed any distinction among its citizens according to the race to which they belong or in which others claim to place them. All Belgians are equal before the law. Those are the principles in the shelter of which the Jews in Belgium lived peaceably until the German invasion. These principles are of a permanent character. They are at the very foundation of Belgian legislation and the reestablishment of them, and respect for them, are among our war aims.
“It is well known that the Belgian government, supported by public opinion, did all in its power in the years immediately preceding the war to alleviate the great distress into which Nazi persecution had plunged the Jews. Only victory of the Allies will put an end to the injustices of which the Jews have been the victims.”
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