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Sejm Heckles Jewish Deputy’s Plea Against Terrorism

February 11, 1937
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Jewish deputies pleading in Parliament last night against anti-Semitic terrorism were interrupted by shouts of “Go to Palestine,” followed by an anti-Jewish attack by a Nationalist deputy that drew long applause from the chamber.

“We are going to Palestine,” replied Deputy Emil Sommerstein, “but we also intend to remain here. The Jews have lived in Poland 900 years and do not intend to move.”

The discussion arose in connection with the Government’s so-called “investment plan,” which aims at improvement of general economic conditions. Deputy Sommerstein demanded the equal rights for all citizens.

Deputy Joshua Gottlieb held that anti-Semitism was undermining Poland’s economic system. He said that “it is impossible to dream of a better future and at the same time throw bombs at Rabbi Rubenstein’s door.” (The home of Deputy Isaac Rubenstein, chief rabbi of Wilno, was bombed on Monday.)

Government intervention to check continued student anti-Jewish rioting in Polish universities was demanded by Deputy Gottlieb, who submitted a list of injured students, including his son, Chaim, an undergraduate at Warsaw University.

Anti-Jewish terror is forcing Jews to quit their homes in several villages of the Podliansk district, the anti-Semitic paper ABC reported today. Six members of the outlawed National Radical Party were reported arrested as ringleaders.

In one village unknown persons poured acid on Jewish houses and demolished others, the report said. In another village Jews were driven out of their homes despite freezing temperatures prevailing.

In Warsaw, students escorted by 15 National Radicals armed with sticks invaded a Jewish-owned button factory and demanded replacement of the Jewish workers by non-union Christian laborers despite the opposition of Polish union workers employed in the factory.

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