A warning that “Nazi and anti-Semitic propaganda is entering South Africa through various channels.” and that “vigilance and effective action” is needed against it, was given by Dr. Teddy Schneider, president of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, at a banquet inaugurating a new lodge of the Hebrew Order of David here. He said the press had drawn attention to the increase of such material, which usually made “wild and unfounded allegations about a worldwide ‘Jewish’ or ‘Zionist’ conspiracy,” along the lines of “that notorious forgery, the Protocols of the Elders of Zion.”
“I believe,” Dr. Schneider continued, “that the press is performing a public service in alerting readers to these undesirable activities. We have known for a long time that individuals and groups exist in various countries, and especially among the Radical Right groups in the southern states of the U.S.A., which have been busy spreading reactionary and anti-Jewish poison to various parts of the world.
“Regrettably, some misguided people in South Africa are not unreceptive to such ideas, and there are individuals and groups in the Republic who welcome, and in turn disseminate this propaganda. They are most harmful when they purport to be defending South Africa’s patriotic interests — in fact, they serve alien and un-south African purposes, damaging to South Africa’s real interests.” Dr. Schneider expressed confidence that the majority of South Africans would treat this “insidious propaganda” with contempt. “I am sure that the authorities do not welcome it,” he added.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
