The charge that the Jewish population is “far from having equal rights in Poland” was made on the floor of the Sejm today by Dr. Emil Sommerstein, Jewish deputy from Lwow.
Discussing a bill that would give the Government far-reaching powers, Dr. Sommerstein declared that the nation’s laws and the execution of those laws were definitely influenced by economic anti-Semitism.
The bill was passed by the Sejm immediately after the discussion.
Continued persecution of the small trader, a class largely composed of Jews, was leading to unemployment, consequent dire need and a feeling of hopelessness among the entire Jewish population, Dr. Sommerstein stated.
Demanding that the Government abandon its course of “etatism” (state-controlled monopoly), Dr. Sommerstein voiced his faith in the good will of the Government.
Also voicing confidence in the intentions of the Government, Deputy Laibel Minzberg of Lodz announced that he would withhold comment on Jewish affairs until the Government’s principal policies were made known.
A demand for equal treatment for all Polish citizens regardless of political or religious convictions was made by Deputy Lubelski, a Catholic Priest.
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.
