Forty-three Revisionists were arrested here last night following their invasion and capture of the headquarters of the Organization of Jewish Refugees in Italy. The demonstrators asserted that they were protesting the organization’s discrimination against them in immigration matters.
Originally about 50 persons demonstrated in front of the offices and later they forcibly entered and imprisoned the office staff. Included among the persons “captured” in the office was Umberto Nachon, Jewish Agency representative, who was eventually freed because he was leaving for Palestine today. The attackers were well supplied with food and blankets and were apparently prepared for a long sieg?.
After taking over the offices, the demonstrators drew attention to themselves by singing and shouting slogans. A large crowd gathered outside the building and about 50 Italian policemen arrived and called on the Revisionists to surrander the office. They refused, barricading all windows and entrances. The police broke in and arrested the Revisionists, including one woman, who made no further attempt to resist. Little damage was done during the “occupation.”
Other Revisionist demonstrations were held elsewhere in Rome and Milan in front of the headquarters of other Jewish organizations. However, none of the other demonstration ended in disorder.
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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.