(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Energetic steps to combat the rapidly growing anti-Semitic movement in Soviet Russia were urged yesterday by Lunatcharsky, Soviet Commissar of Education, in a long article published in the “Emes,” the organ of the Jewish section of the Communist party.
The reason for anti-Semitism at all times and in all countries lies in the high intellect, ability and enterprising spirit of the Jews, Lunatcharsky declares. These qualities of the Jews evoke a fear of competition and hatred on the part of the middle classes and the intellectuals who are the lightning conductors for the ruling powers. Urging that the Jews are useful to the country, Lunatcharsky says in his article that it is the duty of all Communists, progressive intellectuals and workingmen, to fight “that wild beast which is called anti-Semitism.”
“Enlightenment for the ignorant, contempt for the cultured anti-Semites, but where anti-Semitism becomes aggressive drastic measures should be taken, just as against hooliganism,” he declares.
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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.
