Sweden did more for the Jews of Europe during the war than the Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees, which represents over 30 governments, Rabbi Stephen S. Wise declared today, addressing a session of the European Conference of the World Jewish Congress.
Dr. Wise revealed that in reply to a message sent to Stockholm, expressing the Congress’ appresciation for the efforts of the Swedish people, government and King Gustav on behalf of Jews, the King today sent a cable voicing his “heartfelt thanks for your kind message.”
Dr. Wise also disclosed that the Danish ambassador in the United States had volunteered funds to help Jews escape from Denmark at the time that the Nazis launched their drive against Jews in that country.
Reporting on the situation of French Jewry, Marc Jarblum, president of the Federation of Jewish Societies in France, said that half of the Jewish population had survived, partly through its own efforts and partly as a result of assistance given them by non-Jews. He stressed that Zionist and non-Zionist Jewish youths had been in the forefront of the resistance.
Other speakers discussed the position of the Jews in Finland, Poland, Czechoslovakia and Sweden, as well as the aid given Jewish refugees by Switzerland.
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.
