North African Jews Fear Violence by Arab Extremists

The 500,000 Jews of North Africa are deeply concerned over the possibility that they will be singled out as scapegoats for violence by Arab propagandists and extremists, an American Jewish Committee delegation which returned here today from a tour of North Africa declared.

“Terrorist activities in Morocco and Tunisia affect every element of the population, “the AJC delegates reported.”However, Jews are worried that Arab League propagandists and other extremists may seek to single out the Jewish population as the scapegoat in the future. “

The AJC group stressed that Jews of Morocco and Tunisia must have the freedom of choice of remaining in those countries on a basis of full equality with the Moslems or of emigrating in peace with their belongings.

“Whether the Jews will eventually remain and integrate fully in Morocco and Tunisia or will want to emigrate will depend primarily on how they are treated by the other groups in the population,” the AJC delegation said. “It will depend on whether they receive a satisfactory status that will permit them to lead a dignified life on a basis of equality and -with security, not just on paper but in fact.” The group expressed the hope that integration of the Jews may become a “full-fledged reality.”

“The right of free movement of people with their belongings must be secured,” the delegation insisted. “The way must be left open for the calm and orderly emigration from Morocco by Jews and others who, on the basis of their own experience, decide that the conditions for equality and security do not exist and choose to depart of their own free will.”

The delegation consisted of Irving M. Engel, AJC president, Jacob Blaustein, honorary president, Dr. John Slaws on, executive vice-president, and Zachariah Schuster, European director, who joined the group in Paris and accompanied it through North Africa.