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Kennedy Urged to Intervene with Argentina on Anti-jewish Violence

August 3, 1962
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Congressman Herbert Zelenko, a New York Democrat, requested in a telegram to President Kennedy today that the United States threaten to suspend all aid to Argentina and Uruguay unless the governments of those countries “take vigorous action to stamp out” anti-Semitism.

In his wire, requesting the President’s “prompt intervention,” Rep. Zelenko said:

“Shocking news from Argentina and Uruguay of unrestrained anti-Jewish outbreaks and propaganda clearly reveal a breakdown of democratic process in those countries, and threaten to make mockery of high purposes of your Alliance for Progress. It is imperative that those governments know that the American people abhor anti-Semitism and view with horror any indulgence in these Hitlerite practices.

“Governmental failure to control such shameful outbreaks justify prompt U.S. action. For the sake of the goals set by your Alliance for Progress, and as indication of America’s determination that its help be for the strengthening of democracy and not for fascist or Communist totalitarianism, I urge your official action informing those countries that all U.S. help to them will be suspended unless they take vigorous action to stamp out such practices. I respectfully request your prompt intervention.”

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