The German persecution of Greek Jews has aroused the indignation of all circles within Greece, it was disclosed here today in a statement issued by the Greek Government-in-Exile, revealing that recently the council of Athens University petitioned the Nazis to treat Jews as they did all other sections of the Greek population.
“This petition was rejected by the Nazi occupation authorities, “the statement says,” and early this year the deportation of Jews from Salonika began.” Simultaneously, all Jews living in the center of the city were ordered to move to outlying districts. They were not permitted to take along any of their household goods, which were confiscated by the Germans. The Jews were ordered to don yellow Mogen David badges and were forbidden to enter the main sections of the city either to shop or for any other reason. Under German pressure Jews were expelled from all clubs, unions and organizations, which were forbidden to represent the interests of Jews in the future.
“The first batch of 3,500 Salonika Jews were deported to Poland at the beginning of March, “the statement continues. “Men, women and children were herded into sealed cattle cars, which had only one small window for ventilation and which were provided with only one can of water, each, for the entire journey. Sanitary facilities were practically non-existent. Each deportee was restricted to about 15 pounds of luggage, which had to include all food for the trip and clothing. Large numbers of the Jews died en route to Poland. Additional deportations have been ordered,” the statement concludes.
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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.
