The interest takes in the proceedings of the Barshay trial in Minsk by the Jewish press abroad is widely commented upon in the Soviet press. The “Pravda,” Soviet organ, refers to this matter today as did the public prosecutor in his address in the Minsk court when he mentioned the presence at the trial of the correspondent of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
The Barshay case itself was not very important. It was intentionally chosen by the Soviet authorities, rather than a more serious case, as an effective move against the widespread petty anti-Semitic acts which are regarded by the culprits as a permissible diversion.
The court proceedings substantiated this interpretation of the Soviet authorities’ procedure, the judge seeking to show the anti-Semitic acts of the defendants bordered on counter-revolutionary activities. The cross examination centered on the question: Is the term “Zhid” considered offensive? Does the defendant regard its use as signifying race hatred?
In this connection the testimony of Isitova, Dreize Barshay’s Gentile roommate, speaking a fluent Yiddish, was highly important. She said that the term “Zhid” is commonly used by the non-Jewish workers, who declare that they cannot call a Jew Tovarischtch” (comrade) or “Grazhdanin” (citizen) and hence must say “Zhid” (Jew).
The action of the Soviet authorities in this case seems to indicate their desire to wipe out this practice. The Soviet press gives much space to every instance, even where the offense is of an insignificant character, where the term “Zhid’ was employed.
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.
