German Jewry was urged today by Mohandas K. Gandhi to Adopt the strategy of “passive resistance” which he and his disciples have followed in their fight for India’s independence.
“If there could be a justifiable war in the name of humanity, war against Germany to prevent the wanton persecution of a whole race would be completely justified,” the Indian nationalist wrote in his weekly journal, Harijan. “But I do not believe in any war. The German persecution of the Jews seems to have no parallel in history. Tyrants never went so mad as Hitler seems to have gone.
“If I were a Jew and were born in Germany and earned my livelihood there, I would claim Germany as my home, even as the tallest Germany Gentile may, and challenge him to shoot me or cast me into a dungeon. I would refuse to be expelled or submit to discriminating treatment.”
Recommending adoption of a “passive resistance” campaign, Gandhi added: “I am convince that if someone with courage and vision can arise among them to lead them to non-violent action, their despair can be turned to hope. It will then be a truly religious resistance offered against the fury of a dehumanized man, and the German Jews will score a lasting victory over the German Gentiles in the sense that they will have converted the latter to appreciation of human dignity.”
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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.
