The Jewish question was debated for the first time in the lower chamber today when the Catholic Deputy Dr. Delwaide criticised the appointment of the first Jewish judge in Belgium, Dr. Henri Buch, alleging that Dr. Buch was a recently naturalized citizen whereas in reality he was born and educated in Antwerp.
The appointment was vigorously defended by Henri Jasper, Liberal deputy, the Socialist Minister of Justice Eugene Soudan, and Paul Hymans, Minister of the Exterior.
Replying to Dr. Delwaide’s attack, M. Jaspar said, “We cannot allow the existence of first and second class citizens.”
Minister Soudan, replying to a statement by former Minister of Justice Carton de Wiart in which he had asserted that the appointment had provoked great indignation in legal circles, said, “you mean anti-Semitic circles.”
Answering an assertion that Dr. Buch’s appointment was unprecedented, M. Hymans stated that several Catholic Judges had been similarly appointed.
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