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Gen. Giraud and Gen. De Gaulle Will Discuss Cremieux Law when They Meet

March 23, 1943
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The question of why Gen. Giraud found it necessary to repeal the Cremieux Law and thus deprive the native Jews in Algeria of their French citizenship will be one of the subjects of discussion between Gen. Giraud and Gen. de Gaulle when the two meet in the near future, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency was assured here today by leaders of the Fighting French.

Gen. de Gaulle’s spokesmen, however, warned that the abolition of the Cremieux Law will not be a major issue between the heads of the French groups. “Because of the other and more important problems with which Gen. Giraud and Gen. de Gaulle will have to deal when they meet, the issue of the Cremieux Law will play a minor role,” they said.

(The N.Y. Times, in a cable from Algiers today reported that “the entire question of conditions for citizenship is now under review by Gen. Giraud and his chief legal advisers.” It added that French legal sources state that “after three months, decisions regulating the situation will be made by the regime.” It quoted Gen. Giraud’s counselor as declaring that “most Jews in Algeria prefer to get (French) citizenship independently” and that Jews who held government office were restored to their positions by General Giraud’s “declaration and ordinance” of last Wednesday. Their citizenship will be restored swiftly to enable them to retain office. While the new regulations are being worked out there will be “no restrictions on Jews entering schools or the army or practicing professions,” the Counselor stated.)

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