Jewish Workers in Poland Ask Government to Curb Growing Anti-semitism

The attention of leaders of the Communist Party in Poland has been drawn to the growing anti-Jewish sentiment in the country and to the “poison of anti-Semitism” which is being spread openly at public gatherings, it is reported in the latest issue of the Warsaw Jewish newspaper “Folkshtimme” to reach here today.

The report says that representatives of regional committees of the Communist Party have been invited to attend meetings of Jewish workers at which the problem of growing anti-Semitism was discussed. “The Jewish workers have openly and clearly reported to these representatives the true situation,” the report says, adding that the meetings served the needed purpose and resulted in decisions by the regional committees to take “educational measures” to counteract anti-Semitic propaganda.

The Warsaw Jewish newspaper emphasizes that growing anti-Jewish sentiment in the country has provoked “restlessness” among Jews in the country. “Certain Jewish working elements–including members as well as non-members of the Communist Party–were also excited over the fact that even leaders of the Party have displayed a certain passivity at meetings where anti-Semitic elements delivered speeches, “the paper writes It reveals that many Jewish workers who for years fought together with their Polish comrades “simply could not understand the attitude” of the party leaders.

As a result, Jewish Communist leaders have approached local and regional party organs, as well as government organs, with a request that they stem the anti-Jewish propaganda, the paper reports. They also conferred with the Minister of Education in view of the fact that anti-Semitic incidents also occurred in schools. They suggested that some subject should be introduced in the school curriculum to acquaint Polish children with the role which-Jews played in Poland’s development and in its liberation from the Nazis.

The paper says that Jews in Poland realize that anti-Semitism has always existed among certain elements in the country. However, they were amazed and concerned that these elements are no longer hampered in “their impertinent statements and activities.” The article in the Jewish Communist newspaper contains veiled criticism of the government for permitting a situation which enabled the anti-Semites in Poland “to bring their poison close to the surface.”