Max Mazin, leader of Madrid’s community of 2,000 Jews, has publicly expressed his thanks to Chief of State Francisco Franco for the new constitutional legislation just approved by the Spanish Parliament and expected to be ratified by popular vote when it is submitted on December 14 to a national referendum, it was announced here today. The law declares the principle of religious freedom, whereas previously the Government recognized only the Roman Catholic Church.
The text of Mr. Mazin’s telegram to Generalissimo Franco was as follows: “In behalf of the Jewish communities of Spain, I wish to express publicly the profound satisfaction and gratitude of the Jews of the country to Your Excellency, for the proposed granting of religious freedom, by modifying Article 6 of the Spanish Charter, and thus establishing a juridical and legal framework in accordance with the inalienable rights of mankind, regardless of creed. Looking forward to the early promulgation of this law, we foresee a future of harmonious co-existence in keeping with the best tradition of the remote but unforgettable Jewish-Spanish past, for the increased glory and greatness of Spain.”
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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.