U.S. Jewish Communists Reject Moscow’s Stand on Anti-semitic Book

The mild criticism by an Ukrainian newspaper of the anti-Semitic book “Judaism Without Embellishment,” published by the Ukrainian Academy of Science–a book which provoked protests even of Communist parties in the free world–was rejected editorially here today in the Communist-oriented newspaper, Morning Freiheit. The paper termed the criticism as “not strong enough,” and insisted that those responsible for the publication of the book be punished.

The editorial quoted from an article that appeared in a Kiev newspaper, Radyanska Kultura, (Soviet Culture) the general contents of which had been repeated by Tass, the official Soviet news agency. Noting that the Soviet article praised the role played by Soviet Jews in “the Socialist reconstruction” of the USSR following World War II, and that it stated that “tens of thousands of Soviet Jews” received citations and medals, including 40 awarded the Order of Hero of Socialist Work, and 99 given the title “Hero of the Soviet Union,” the Freiheit editorial declared:

“Insofar as the ‘Judaism’ book, in its false, un-Marxist, anti-religious propaganda, casts a shadow on the role of Jews in general, such confirmations are very significant. “The editorial expressed satisfaction with the fact that the Ukrainian newspaper also stated clearly that the State of Israel “must not be dragged into” the discussion when one writes about religion, as did the author of the anti-Semitic book.

“All this is correct,” stated the Freiheit, “but what about the caricatures? All the Kiev newspaper says about that is that the caricatures ‘are of low artistic merit and could only offend religious people.’ If this is all the writers of the Kiev newspaper could say of the caricatures, and if Tass limited itself only to excerpts from the article, it must be declared that the answer cannot in any circumstances be considered satisfactory. On the contrary, it must evoke surprise and even consternation and protest.

“If the subject were not so serious,” the Freiheit editorial continued, “one could say it is laughable to speak of the ‘artistic level’ of these caricatures. How can one speak of ‘artistic level,’ high or low, when the issue concerns anti-Semitic caricatures? In such caricatures, one does not look for art. Such caricatures are deeply offensive not only to religious people. Non-religious and anti-religious people, Jews and non-Jews, were shocked by the caricatures. And if the Radyanska Kultura writers were not shocked–then something is definitely wrong.

INSIST MOSCOW SHOULD PUBLICLY STAMP THE BOOK AS ANTI-SEMITIC

“Of concern here is not only the writers (of the article in the Kiev newspaper). Of concern here is that official circles in the Soviet Union must take a good look at the anti-Semitic character of the book. One is concerned about means that must be taken against those who

“There are reports that the anti-Semitic ‘Judaism’ book has been taken out of circulation. That’s fine. It is also good that the book was issued originally in a small edition of only 12,000 copies. But it is necessary that the anti-Semitic nature of the book be recognized; that those who are guilty shall be punished; that the penalty imposed on them be made public, so that the entire world will know.

“Insofar as Moscow and Kiev reacted in regard to the ‘Judaism’ book–that is a positive development. But, at the same time, it must be emphasized that the answer is far from satisfactory; that further steps must be taken; that, together with punishment for the guilty, it is necessary to initiate a broad campaign of enlightenment about anti-Semitism and a decided struggle against the remnants of anti-Semitism.”