Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Speaker Attacks Jews at Women’s Conference in Washington

February 2, 1953
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

Congresswoman Katherine St. George of New York and Alfred Kohlberg, president of the Jewish League Against Communism, the week-end cancelled engagements to speak before the Women’s Patriotic Conference after another speaker had made an anti-Jewish speech to the parley. The conference was attended by delegates from some 30 women’s organizations.

The offending speech was made by Maj. Robert H. Williams, identified by the Anti-Defamation League as one of the nation’s leading anti-Semites. Speaking of the Communist anti-Jewish campaign in Eastern Europe, Williams charged that the affair was a “hoax” adding: “Communism has not yet turned against the Jews. A snake does not swallow itself.” A number of Congressmen and Senators attended the conference, as did Mrs. Ivy Baker Priest, newly appointed Treasurer of the U.S. Messages were sent to the parley by President Eisenhower, Vice President Nixon and various Senators.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement