The circulation of anti-Semitic pamphlets by a neo-Fascist group in Britain has aroused demands by the Board of Deputies of British Jews to “put more teeth” into the Race Relations Act. The pamphlet, titled “Did Six Million Really Die?” accuses Jews of lying about the number of Nazi victims “to gain pity and money.” It is being sent, unsolicited, to schools by a movement headed by a man surnamed McLaughlin.
The shortcomings of the Race Relations Act in dealing with this type of activity was demonstrated when the pamphlet first appeared a year ago and was sent to Attorney General Sam Silken by Martin Savitt, chairman of the Board of Deputies’ defense and group relations committee. Silken’s response was that while the author of the pamphlet “substantially ignored evidence contrary to his case, it would be difficult to prove that (he) intended (in the words of the Race Relations Act) ‘to stir up hatred against any section of the public in Great Britain distinguished by color, race or ethnic or national origin.'” Silken pointed out that “intent” was “essential as an ingredient” if an offense under the Act is established.
Savitt confirmed that the Board of Deputies’ legal committee has drafted a memorandum to the Home Secretary seeking to remove the “intent” clause from the Act.
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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.
