Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Crusading Jewish Editor Escapes Miami Bomb Attack

June 22, 1960
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

A bomb was hurled early this morning at the home of Samuel Mindlin, whose last name is the same as Leo Mindlin, executive editor of the Jewish Floridian. The two are not related.

Leo Mindlin has been crusading editorially against a local radio commentator, Alan Courtney, of Station WOAM, who has accused Israel, on the air, of “crimes worse than Hitler’s.” Courtney has insisted in his broadcasts that Nazi killer Adolf Eichmann, awaiting trial in Israel for the mass murder of Jews, “must be assumed innocent until proved guilty.”

The bomb in front of the Samuel Mindlin home tore a hole three feet wide by three feet in depth on the lawn and sidewalk facing the Samuel Mindlin property. Police and FBI are investigating the attack, and have placed the homes of both Mindlins under 24-hour surveillance.

Leo Mindlin reported in his column last week that he had received seven threatening letters, two of which had warned that his home would be bombed. He stated that all of the letters included “crudely anti-Semitic” remarks.

Courtney has been haranguing on the air against Leo Mindlin and his newspaper, accusing them of having “crucified” Roy Cohn, former counsel for the late Senator Joseph McCarthy. He has been accused by Ralph Renick, vice-president in charge of news of the local CBS-TV affiliate, Station WTVJ, of “arousing the worst instincts” of men.

Officials of Station WQAM have denied any responsibility for the opinions expressed on the air by Courtney.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement