Though the measure requiring that Jews in occupied France wear a yellow Mogen David is only one day old, it has already resulted in a number of jokes among Frenchmen who disapprove of the discriminatory measure. Reports from Paris today state that the yellow badge has been nicknamed “pour le Semite,” a sarcastic reference to the award “pour le merit,” the highest German decoration.
At the same time it is reported in the French press that the question of introducing the yellow Mogen David for Jews in unoccupied France is now under consideration. The report stated that Darquier de Pellepoix, anti-Semitic French Commissioner for Jewish Affairs, is now studying the problem of how to extend the order to the unoccupied zone.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.