Opposition Parties in Rumania Charged with Encouraging Anti-jewish Feelings

The charge that anti-Semitism is being encouraged in Rumania by political parties which oppose the present Groza government was made here today at a press conference by Serban Voinea, a leader of the Rumanian Social Democratic party who attended the recent international Socialist conference held in Clacton.

As far as legislation is concerned, the Jews in Rumania have never been safeguarded as well as they are now, he said, but there is still anti-Jewish agitation by reactionary elements, Voinea declared. The Social Democratic Party, he said, fully recognizes the special character of the Jewish problem in Rumania and is, therefore, making an effort to secure for the Jews the right of immigration to Palestine and elsewhere, although the general policy of the Rumanian Government is to retain all manpower for reconstruction of the country.

Several Jews hold important posts in various ministries, but many other Jews declined such positions which were offered to them, declaring that they wished to avoid strengthening anti-Jewish sentiments, Voinea reported.

RUMANIAN GOVERNMENT WILL FIGHT ANTI-SEMITISM, PREMIER PLEDGES

Another report on the Rumanian Government’s attitude toward anti-Semitism was given last night by John Mack, Labor M.P., who has just returned from a trip through Central and Eastern Europe. Mack reported at a meeting here arranged by the United Jewish Appeal, that he had been told by Rumanian Premier Petre Groza that “the Jews have been wronged in Rumania in the past, but now there is an and to it.” Croza, however, stressed that Rumania’s resources were limited and the Government cannot help the Jews very much. The Premier pointed out that anti-Semitism was so widespread in Rumanian life that it may take several generations to eradicate it.

Mack also presented an appeal from Rumanian Jews for economic aid from Jews abroad. He said that many Jews desire to emigrate to Palestine, but are unable to do so at present, and must, in the meantime, be helped to rebuild their shattered lives. The survivors, particularly the children, must be saved from starvation and death, he declared.