The American Jewish Committee and the American Jewish Congress today protested against the adoption by the Austrian Parliament of Nazi amnesty laws and the weakening of restitution laws there.
Jacob Blaustein, president of the American Jewish Committee, said in a cable to Austrian Chancellor Leopold Figl that Austria’s failure to take action on restitution of heirless property, as well as the amnesty laws giving back to former Nazis their property and restoring their civil rights, constitute "betrayals of democracy and the Western Powers’ trust in Austria."
Dr. Israel Goldstein, president of the American Jewish Congress, charged that Austria "is embarked on a policy aimed at the complete legal rehabilitation of Nazi criminals and of open anti-Semitism." He cited facts showing that serious anti-American agitation was also developing in that country.
"The situation in Austria is extremely dangerous," Dr. Goldstein said, "because all political elements appear to be wooing the electoral support of unrepentant Nazis. Austria can easily become a focus of anti-Semitic and pro-Nazi infection for all of Europe and a center of international anti-Semitism if prompt measures are not taken by our own government, as the leading member of the Allied Council responsible for occupation policy."
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