A “ritual murder” trial of immense significance to the Jews of Austria and of Central and Eastern Europe began here today. For the first time in the history of trials of this nature not a single Jew is concerned in the hearing. The issue is entirely between Christians.
The Austrian Nazi organ Der Stuermer has been running “ritual murder” accusations and featuring the forged “Protocols of the Elders of Zion” and repeated violent attacks on the Talmud.
Madame Irene Harand, leader of a movement against racial hatred, published an article in the magazine Justice in which she declared that the material in Der Stuermer was nothing but lies and slanders.
CLERGY TO UNMASK FORGERY
Der Stuermer promptly brought action against Madame Harand and against Franz Weniger, publisher of the paper, for libel.
At the first hearing the court agreed to the request of Dr. Zalman, attorney for the defense, that proofs of Madame Harand’s allegations be given by the Archbishop of Vienna, the theological faculty of the University of Vienna and other experts, who will show that the “Protocols” are forgeries. The defense also offers to prove that the claim that the Talmud orders Jews to “swindle” Gentiles is also false, and that the “ritual murder” accusations are a base libel upon the Jewish people.
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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.
