Measures to cope with the growing anti-Jewish boycott now in open evidence here in connection with the Christmas holiday trade activities were taken today by the Ministry of Economics. The department, seeing in the anti-Jewish boycott a movement dangerous to the present economic structure of Germany, has long been trying to quell it but its decrees on this point have been in the main studiously ignored.
The ministry today circularized members of the retailers’ association which has been active in the anti-Jewish Christmas boycott, pointnig out that it was not desirable to prevent non-Aryans from decorating their shops for Christmas since this prohibition would tend to diminish the sale of German goods within the country.
As a result of the anti-Nazi boycott in most of the countries outside the Reich, the German government is seeking a home market for German products. Barring Jewish merchants from participation in the holiday business would react against this program, according to the ministry.
The labor commissar for Brandenburg, which includes Berlin, instructed the police to take measures to end the boycott, particularly in the provinces. “The local press must be made to understand that the boycott is undesirable and not to be permitted,” his instructions stated. “Similarly, the independent actions of over-diligent young or new members of the Nazi party must be completely stopped.”
Not much is expected to result from these orders except a correction of glaring abuses such as the picketing of Jewish stores, especially since the boycott of Jews has been given official status by the action of the government-controlled radio stations in announcing they would not accept advertising announcements of Jewish firms.
While the Ministry of Economics sought to stem the boycott movement, reports continued to reach here of official actions designed to further it.
The municipality of Berba resolved to prohibit the use of Christmas decorations by Jews. The Frankfurt commissar for trade warned Jewish firms not to “misuse” Christmas symbols for advertising. A similar warning was issued to Jewish grocers in the Rhine provinces.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
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.
