President Juan Peron today received Israel Minister of Health Joseph Serlin and told the Israeli leader that he had opposed discrimination against any group ever since he came to power in Argentina. Mr. Serlin is an official guest of the Argentine Government.
The President, who expressed the opinion that Argentina was not fertile soil for anti-Semitism, admitted that there was some anti-Jewish agitation when he came to power. But, he insisted, it has been “destroyed at the roots. ” He cited as evidence, the fact that the ultra-nationalistic and at one time anti-Semitic Alianza Libertadora Nacionalista had foresworn anti-Semitism, and is even participating jointly in public meetings with the Peronist Jewish group, Organizacion Israelita Argentina. The President underlined the fact that he judges people “only as good and bad men” and not on any other basis.
Gen. Peron was pleased to hear Mr. Serlin’s favorable impressions of Argentina. The Israeli Minister congratulated the President on the fine care Argentina takes of its children and the fine play facilities and parks it offers them. The President invited Mr. Serlin to confer with him again, before he leaves the country.
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