Quiet prevailed in Constantine, Algeria, today following attacks on Jewish homes and stores yesterday by Moslems charging the Jewish Consistory of that city with responsibility for throwing a grenade into a Moslem cafe, killing one Moslem girl and wounding 17 other Moslems.
Strong army and police patrols today guarded the Jewish quarter of Constantine to prevent any possible resumption of anti-Jewish attacks. The Jewish Consistory issued a statement last night denying the accusations against the Jewish community. “The Jewish Consistory has always preached peace and understanding between Moslems and Jews,” the statement said. “It now raises a strong and indignant protest against the allegation that the crime was committed by a Jew.”
Police investigating the bombing of the Moslem cafe so far have not found any clue to the perpetrators of the crime.” Square Negrier from where the grenade was thrown is situated in the heart of the Jewish quarter. However, since the departure of a large number of Jews from the city, the majority of the population in that area has become Moslem; There were 14,000 Jews in Constantine two years ago. Today less than half have remained in the city.
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