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Egypt’s Opposition to Zionism Does Not Mean Opposition to Jews, High Official Says

September 21, 1944
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Jewish circles here are highly gratified at a statement issued this week by an important government official drawing a sharp line between Egyptians’ opposition to Zionism and their attitude to the native Jewish population.

Asserting that “decisive events are taking place in Palestine, where Zionists have taken the initiative in a policy which it is not yet for us to judge,” the unnamed official stressed that “it is necessary, however, to draw a distinction between Zionists and Egyptian Jews. The latter are not only Jews but good useful citizens.

“It took many years to pacify the various religious elements in the country,” be continued, “we do not intend to go all over that period of intolerance and internal convulsions or reprove Zionism as do many states, although the contribution of their Jewish citizens are willingly acknowledged.”

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