The official gazette today published a declaration of martial law decided upon by the Cabinet last night in a move to combat terrorism which was prompted by the bombing of a synagogue on Friday night. The decree empowers special courts to impose the death penalty for violence and possession of explosives, bombs or firearms with intent to make an assault on public order.
Three groups of persons will be exempt from application of the proposed new anti-Jewish law under modifications reportedly accepted by the Government, it was learned today. The exemptions include (1) children of mixed marriages who are Christians and those of Jewish parentage who were baptized before the age of 17, (2) Jewish war veterans who have been awarded certain categories of military distinction, together with those who have been invalided with a 40 per cent disability, widows and orphans of the war dead, (3) children of Jews who settled in Hungary before 1877. Another reported modification would exempt Jews who have rendered valuable service to the nation in industrial, economic and cultural spheres.
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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.