The Roumanian Metropolit Primus has received in audience Chief Rabbi Dr. Nemierower and Deputy Dr. Fildermann, who made representations to him against the anti-Semitic agitation conducted by Prof. Cuza. They pointed out that in his latest writings and speeches, Prof. Cuza had alleged that the Rabbis demand the killing of Christians, and that he referred to the Jews as a whole as “children of Satan”.
The Primus assured the delegation that he was taking action against these allegations. He reminded them that while he was still a bishop at the time of the Beilis trial, he had taken a strong attitude against the blood libel.
The Jewish religion, he said, was the first to pronounce against murder. He always sent representatives to Jewish ceremonies in order to show that he regarded the Jews as a brother people.
The Primus regarded the anti-Semitic movement not only as dangerous but that it has no basis whatsoever for its existence. The propaganda of hatred of which it consisted was un-Christian. The Jews were essential to the well being of the country. They were a patriotic element, and keeping them out of universities only made it impossible for them to come closer to Roumanian culture.
It was a mistaken policy to estrange the Jews. They should be drawn closer and made part of the Roumanian people. That was the only way to consolidate the country.
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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.
