"There never has been anti-Semitism in Spain," Generalissimo Francisco Franco dictator of Spain told David Lawrence editor of the U.S. News and World Report who publishes a copyrighted interview with the Spanish chief of state in this week’s issue.
Mr. Lawrence asked Franco whether it is true as people say in the United States, that "in Spain there is some anti-Semitism." "I deny that absolutely." answered the Generalissimo. "In our relations with Germany in the European war we had difficult moments defending the Jews. We caused a sensation in Europe because, when the Jews were treated badly. Spain defended them."
Franco said that his Minister in Bucharest had actively defended the lives and property of Rumanian Jews removing some of them to Salonika Greece during the war Today, Franco pointed out "in the zone of the Spanish protectorate of Morocco, in Tetuan and Larashe, in Arcila and Xauen the Jewish communities enjoy the same advantages as the Spaniards or Arabs. In this we have never had any problems,"
The Spanish chief of state said there are Jewish businessmen in Spain now and there are "several synagogues." insisting there is no discrimination against Jews. "Irepeat." he told Mr. Lawrence "that there never has been anti-Semitism in Spain but to the contrary. The Jews have been able to develop themselves perfectly in our nation. The cases I have related above prove it."
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