Jewish newspapers, while thanking France for her goodwill, were cool today to proposals to settle Jewish refugees in French colonies, but anti-Semitic newspapers expressed jubilation over the offer of the Blum Government.
Jewish newspapers said in editorials that the project for admitting Jews to Madagascar, New Caledonia, New Hebrides and French Guiana spelled misfortune for the Jews. While it could hardly be carried out, the plan provides grist for the mills of the anti-Semites, the articles said.
Anti-Semitic newspapers declared, “Our Madagascar plan is finally accepted.” They had been campaigning for weeks for emigration of Polish Jews to the island off the east coast of Africa on the grounds that Premier Blum is Jewish and that the plan would keep the Jews far enough away from Europe for the anti-Semites’ purposes.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
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.