Geography and foreign policy were coupled today as contributory causes of modern anti-Semitism by Leonard G. Montefiore in an address before the Anglo-Jewish Association, of which he is the retiring president.
In a report of the Joint Foreign Committee which he submitted to the Association, Mr. Montefiore contrasted the tranquil conditions prevailing when his predecessors relinquished office with today’s Jewish sufferings, continuing:
“Anti-Semitism nowadays is in some measure a question of geography and in some measure dependent on foreign policy. No sudden conversion to the racial theory led Mussolini to persecute the Jews, but the exigencies of Italian foreign policy. No fear of Jewish economic influence provoked anti-Jewish measures in Hungary, but the fear of German military power together with hopes of German support for political ambitions. Only in countries able to keep out the Nazi influence because of geographical position and military strength can the Jews and other minorities expect justice and fair play. Nazi propaganda is felt even in such countries.”
Mr. Montefiore, declaring this was the Association’s last meeting under his presidency before his retirement, except for a formal session before the general meeting in June, paid tribute to the memories of the late vice-presidents Haham Dr. Moses Gaster and Sir Mathew Nathan. He also lauded Neville Laski, co-chairman of the Joint Foreign Committee, for his services and sacrifices to the community. Leonard Stein, chairman of the Association’s executive committee, and other speakers expressed regrets at the impending retirement of Mr. Montefiore.
H.A. Goodman, member of the Association’s Council, stressed Jewish patriotic efforts in Poland and voiced the hope that Poland would remember that her Jews had not only duties but rights as well. He also expressed the hope that it would be possible to bring to the notice of the Colonial Office the most unfortunate impression created in eastern and southern Europe by the Palestine Government’s handling of the illegal immigration question.
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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.
