The Nazi authorities today took precautions against foreign visitors to the Olympics Games getting first-hand information on the Jewish question.
The Gestapo, secret State police, ordered Jewish institutions not to maintain contact with foreign visitors who wish to study the Jewish question. Names of visitors desiring to get into direct touch with the Jewish organizations must first be reported to the Gestapo, the order specifies.
The Ministry of Propaganda has detailed special guides to take American and other visitors to the games on a tour of the “ghetto” cafes on Berlin’s “white way,” the Kurfuerstendamm, which are frequented chiefly by foreign Jews. The purpose of this action is to impress upon the foreigners that “Jews are still leading a free life in Germany.”
Homes of Jews will be distinguished from those of their “Aryan” neighbors during the forthcoming Olympic games, under an order issued today by Dr. Julius Lippert, State Commissar for Berlin.
The order provides that all buildings must fly both the Reich and the Olympic flag. But since Jews are barred under the Nuremberg laws from displaying the national flag, Jewish buildings will be conspicuous by its absence.
The belief was expressed that Jews may be permitted to fly the Berlin municipal flag instead.
The first groups of several thousand American Olympics visitors arrived yesterday. It was reported that no Jews were included among them.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
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.
