Peron Scores Anti-semitism; Hits “iron Curtain” Campaign

In statements to two Jewish delegations in the past two days, Argentine President Juan Peron has re-emphasized his determination to prevent anti-Semitism in this country, expressed repugnance of anti-Jewish developments in Eastern Europe, urged the strengthening of Israel as a haven for prospective immigrants from these areas and declared that the gates of Argentine are open to all victims of persecution.

Gen. Peron made his statements to a delegation consisting of Dr. Pablo Manguel, Argentine Minister to Israel, and Dr. Ezekiel Zabotinsky, chairman of the pro-Peronist Organizacion Israelite Argentina, which called on him two days ago, and one consisting of the representatives of the major communal organizations which conferred with him today. The second group, headed by Dr. Moises Goldmann, president of the Buenos Aires Jewish Community, included Jacobo Bronfman, vice-president of the DAIA, Isaac Arcavi, chairman of the Central Zionist Council, and Dr. Israel Yagupsky and Jose Ventura, co-chairmen of the United Israel Campaign, and others.

The President told the Jews that he would oppose by all means at his disposal attempts to disrupt the harmony of the “Argentine family” by anti-Semitic propaganda and activities. He stressed that since his accession to the Presidency there have been no anti-Semitic outbreaks in the country, and added that he would be on guard to prevent the spread of anti-Semitism from abroad to Argentina. He threatened to “punish and surpress” all forms of racial hatred.

After stating that Argentina would give refuge to victims of persecution, President Peron said that Israel must be strengthened to withstand the anti-Jewish attacks which, he said, are aimed at that country. He pledged Argentina’s support of Israel, which he termed a country whose social conditions fare so similar to ours” and to which Argentina feels united by “strong fraternal ties.”

He asserted that “it is a painful tragedy that certain frictions between the Big Powers result in the Jews becoming sacrificial victims.” Predicting that a new anti-Jewish wave would be more dangerous to Jews than past repressions, President Peron said there is only one way to save the Jews: “Facilitate their migration to Israel and the countries of the free world.” In the event such an evacuation becomes necessary, he stressed, he would take the proper steps.

He concluded his statements by declaring that in the face of these grave developments he would like to offer encouragement to the Jewish community and expressed his “absolute-conviction” that under the present regime with its high spirit of justice and respect for human rights all problems facing the community would be considered in full and satisfactory fashion and would be properly resolved.

Speaking for the second delegation, which also included the two men who were in the first group, Dr. Goldmann thanked the President for his “encouraging message” and his attitude on the domestic and international problems affecting Jewry, especially the recent anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist campaign of “certain countries against Israel.”