The entire Jewish student body of the Agricultural Institute at Genbloux has decided to leave the college in protest against the action of the Academic Council of the University in expelling the Palestinian student, Mordecai Schapiro. Schapiro was placed on trial last May for stabbing a Russian student, Michaelson, an anti-Semitic agitator, and received a suspended sentence of five weeks imprisonment and a fine of 1,200 francs, the Dean of the College giving favorable testimony in his behali.
The Council, in announcing its decision, declared that the presence in the college of Schapiro, who is on the eve of graduating, has swelled the number of anti-Semitic agitators and has disturbed order by bringing into the University racial quarrels, and political friction.
The Jewish students maintain that Schapiro is entirely innocent, and instead of provoking anti-Semitism has been the object of continued agitation upon the part of the anti-Semitic students. Schapiro throughout his connection with the college has been numbered among the most orderly and exemplary students and is therefore entitled to an opportunity to graduate and return to Palestine, his defenders declare.
The majority of the Jewish students, including Schapiro are proceeding to Nancy, France, to complete their studies.
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.
