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Intense Anti-jewish Campaign in Germany Producing Opposite Effect

October 12, 1941
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While the Nazi press throughout the Reich is conducting violent anti-Jewish propaganda to back up Hitler’s manifesto to his army this week that “the Jews and only Jews” are to be blamed for the German soldiers killed on the Eastern front, the sentiment of the average man on the street in Germany is becoming more and more sympathetic towards the Jews, it was reported here today from reliable sources in Berlin.

The report states that many circles in Germany believe that return of goods stolen from the Jews in the Nazi occupied countries is essential to a decent peace. The change of mood among the German people towards the Jews is reported to be the result of the introduction of the yellow Mogen David for the Jews in the Reich. This anti-Jewish measure has, according to the report, had an opposite effect than that desired. It has provoked sympathy for the Jews instead of hatred.

Christian ministers in Germany are now heard saying publicly: “Who knows? We, Christians, might soon find ourselves wearing the cross where Jews now wear the yellow star.” Many churches have worshippers wearing the yellow mark. They are Jews who long ago adopted Christianity.

When Jews, wearing the yellow mark, enter the street car, not one or two people jump up to give them a seat, but three or four, the report states. Characteristic of the situation is the following joke which is now making the rounds in Berlin: A baby in his mother’s arms in a street car sees three Jews with the yellow star. “Look, mommy,” the baby shouts. “There are some more man with the Ritter Kreus!” The Ritter Cross is one of Germany’s high decorations. The young Jews in Germany wear the yellow star with pride and self assurance just as if it were really a high decoration, the report from Berlin concludes.

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