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South African Jews Demand Firing of Broadcast Official

June 5, 1979
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South African Jewry is urging the dismissal of a national broadcasting official who has written a booklet with anti Semitic implications, including a reference to Jews as a “problem” that requires a “solution.” The author is Bill Chalmers, head of religious programming of the publicly owned South African Broadcasting Corp. That has a monopoly over radio and television in the country.

The South African Zionist Federation has accused Chalmers of “a deliberate attempt to foster anti Semitism” and Harold Rudolph, a Jewish member of the Johannesburg City Council, publicly challenged Chalmer’s views. The booklet, titled “The Conspiracy of Truth,” purports to be a “Christian” response to world problems. It contains attacks on “international finance,” widely regarded as code words for alleged Jewish domination of financial institutions, for a “conspiracy” with Communism. Chalmers was born of British parents in India when that country was still governed by Britain.

The author was publicly rebuked by a Cabinet Minister and the press several years ago when he made references over the air to the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. More recently he was rebuked by the South African Broadcasting Authority itself. But no move has been made to dismiss him.

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