Jews in Tunisia were assured today by the newly-formed all-Moslem Tunisian Government that there would be no anti-Jewish discrimination in the country when it secures its internal sovereignty from the French Government. It was indicated by members of the Tunisian Cabinet that the Moslem leaders will never forget that Tunisia received its autonomy through the efforts of French Premier Pierre Mendes-France, who is Jewish.
Reports reaching Jewish groups here today from Tunisia say that the new Tunisian Premier, Tabar ben Ammar, told Jewish leaders that they have nothing to fear when the country will cease to be a French Protectorate and will become independent. The Premier emphasized that the rights of all religious minorities in Tunisia will be respected.
Three members of the new Cabinet are leaving this week for Paris to negotiate agreements with the French Government, guaranteeing the rights of French residents in Tunisia–among whom there are about 20,000 Jews. The other 80,000 Jews in Tunisia are natives, and will fall under the general laws of the country after it acquires its internal sovereignty.
“WE CONSIDER THE JEWS OUR BRETHREN,” PREMIER SAYS
Leaders of Jewish organizations here met today, and will continue to meet tomorrow, to decide on a memorandum to be submitted to the government on the protection of the rights of Tunisian Jews; In the meantime, they were informed today that Zachariah Schuster, representative of the American Jewish Committee, was received yesterday by Premier Ammar in Tunis, who declared that the independent Tunisia will not be a state based on religion, but one in which all will have equal rights and opportunities.
“We have always maintained best relations with our Jewish co-citizens and consider them our brethren,” the Premier told the AJC representative. “You can be certain that there will be no religious, economic, social or cultural discrimination against Jews in our country.” Premier Ammar will receive Dr. Maurice Perlzweig tomorrow, representative of the World Congress, who arrived here today.
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