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Jewish Lawyers Excluded from Rumanian Bar; Termed “parasites”

February 8, 1937
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The general assembly of the Bar Association decided in a resolution today that no more Jewish lawyers would be permitted to become members of the Rumanian bar.

Prof. Istrate Micesco, dean of the Bucharest bar, who presided at the meeting, criticized the Jews, declaring that “the term ‘Rumanian citizen’ applies only to pure-blooded Rumanians.” Other speakers, including some of Rumania’s foremost lawyers, asserted that “the Jews are parasites that must be gotten rid of.”

It was authoritatively stated that the resolution cannot be officially applied since the Rumanian constitution does not discriminate on the basis of racial origin. The bar associations, which control registration of lawyers, can, however, virtually prevent Jews from practicing by refusing to register them.

This is the case in many parts of Rumania, where, owing to measures taken by bar associations, it is impossible for Jews to register as lawyers. Today’s resolution, in effect, merely gave greater moral support to the action of the bar associations.

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