Dr. William Wexler, president of B’nai B’rith, told a press and television conference here today that he thought Australia had a “better climate for Jewish immigration than most other countries because Australians were made up of people from so many countries and were naturally more understanding of other peoples.”
He also said he was very happy with the way Jews had become integrated in Australian life, adding “they are making not only an economic but also a cultural contribution to this country.” He cited a conference in Sydney at which, he said, several instances of anti-Semitism in Australia had been listed. He said “organizations like the John Birch Society are filtering into Australia but they are not a serious problem.”
“A few other small groups with neo-Nazi connections have come here, ” he stated, but added that the only real danger stemmed from economic problems which could lead to a coalition and strengthening of such groups. He spoke to a capacity crowd last night, at B’nai B’rith Hall, Prior to his lecture he met with Jewish communal leaders.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
