Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Belgian Schools Sabotage Anti-semitic Propaganda, Nazis Complain

July 29, 1942
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

Anti-Semitic propaganda spread by the German occupation authorities and Fascist organizations in Belgium is strongly counter-acted by the activities of the Belgian teachers and clergy, reports in Belgian papers reaching here today reveal.

The Nazi paper “S.S. Man,” published in Belgium, charges that “the Athenaentan” in Greater Antwerp is becoming the best organized place for incitement in the whole country.” It complains that the teachers influence the children in an “anti-Nazi spirit.” The paper quotes a priest as having said during a lesson: “But for the Jews, we should never have known Christianity. The Jews are a people like us and it is no love of country to hate this great people. What would you say if you were a Jew?”

Following the order by which Jewish pupils were eliminated from Belgian schools, special courses of instruction have been organized by some schools for promising Jewish children, it is revealed in the Rexist paper “Le Pays Reel.” The paper denounces these schools for defying the German authorities and making common cause with the Jews, whom it describes ironically as “the poor martyrs.” The paper attacks in particular the music school of St. Gilles Forest, Anderlecht, for organizing such courses.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement