Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Students in Algiers Conduct Anti-jewish Propaganda; Jews Concerned

March 26, 1959
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

The Jewish community here is concerned over the recent, increasing activities by “Jeune Nation,” a movement originating in France, which has extended to Algeria and has been stepping up its anti-Semitic activities of late.

The movement here is composed chiefly of middle class university students known for their racist and anti-Semitic ideology. Jewish university students have complained that they have found their desks and laboratory benches smeared with swastikas and with slogans reading: “Death to the Jews!” and “Hitler is Still Alive.”

Police and university authorities did detain 17 members of “Jeune Nation” for questioning, but there have been no prosecutions, due to what many people here call the “delicate political climate.”

Meanwhile, non-Jewish civil and military leaders joined leading Jews here tonight at a meeting marking the opening of the United Israel Campaign in Algeria. The meeting was featured by the showing of French documentary films, showing Nazi atrocities in the German concentration camps during World War II.

Similar rallies were held in a number of other Jewish centers outside this city. The entire UIA campaign is geared to an effort to raise larger sums than ever recorded here, to aid the absorption of East European immigrants in Israel. The showing of the concentration camp documentaries emphasized the campaign slogan: “Lest We Forget.”

A Bible quiz is being conducted here as a cooperative venture between the Jewish Agency’s cultural department and Radio-Television Francaise. First prize is a free trip to Israel contributed by Air France. The quiz is being broadcast, and the finals will be staged at a gala event here soon.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement