Rabbi Stephen S. Wise, Honorary President, and Bernard S. Deutsch, President of the American Jewish Congress, issued the following statement on behalf of the Congress.
“Announcement was made today by the German Government that the organized anti-Jewish boycott will not be resumed. This announcement will not deceive anybody interested in the actual plight of the Jews in Germany. The attitude of the German Government is more truthfully reflected in the brutality which accompanied the organized execution of the boycott and its humiliating violations of human rights and dignity. Although the period of spectacular intimidation and terror may now be over, and despite official pronouncements to the contrary, the anti-Jewish policy of repression and cruel harassments is being systematically and authoritatively continued under the direction of the Hitler Government.
“It is apparent that the dominant forces in the present German Government wilfully misunderstand and intend to persist in misunderstanding the meaning of the world-wide protest against its inhuman anti-Jewish policy. The indignation of the world has been expressed not merely against excesses and outrages, against one-day boycotts, against the irresponsible conduct of the political masters of Germany, but against that policy which these masters officially declare to be the program of the German nation. This program means the degradation of the Jews of Germany, by cutting them off from all civil pursuits and professions, by isolating them from the general life of the German people and accomplishing their ultimate economic extermination.
“While that policy is being carried out under daily incitements from ministers of state and others of high authority, inflicting suffering and privation upon tens of thousands of Jews, the American Jewish Congress, on behalf of American Jews, and supported by the enlightened and humane public opinion in America and other lands will continue its efforts to defend Jewish rights and will seek to secure justice in behalf of those in Germany whose lives and liberties are menaced by this recrudescence of medievalism.
“The American Jewish Congress continues to count upon the support of Americans of every faith in order that the German people may come to see that in the interest of Germany and humanity alike there shall be the prompt cessation of anti-Jewish propaganda and activities in Germany; the abandonment of the policy of economic persecution of Jews in Germany; the equal treatment of Jewish non-nationals with all other non-nationals in Germany.
“These rights are basic and inalienable. The public opinion of the world demands that they shall be secured.”
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.
