Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Austrian Police Beat, Robbed Group of Jewish Refugees Attempting to Cross Frontier

May 5, 1947
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

The beating and robbing of a group of Rumanian Jewish refugees at the Hungarian-Austrian border by Austrian police was reported this week-end when the group reached Vienna.

They reported that on April 23 a group of policemen arrested 58 men and women near Kurzraab. The Jews were detained for two days during which they were fed only bread and water.

The police stole cigarettes and clothing which the refugees had obtained from the Joint Distribution Committee in Budapest. They beat Eva Segal, a pregnant women, Baruch Koenig, from whom they also stole a pari of boots. From two men identified as Neumann and Jirzek they stole a shirt, a wedding band and some money. Throughout their detention the Jews were abused and inuslted by the use of anti-Semitic phrases.

After two days the Jews were brought back to the border and forced to return to Hungary with police bullets whistling over their heads. On their second attempt last week, they succeeded in reaching Vienna. Following a protest from Bernard Teichholz, head of the Committee of Jewish Refugees, Minister of Interior Oskar Helmerledged an immediate investigation.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement