French Press Carries Reports of Jewish Suffering in Syria (Continued from Page 1) that, of all the grave International problems, "French public oninion is most sensitive to the fate of Israel." Prime Minister Georges Pom- pidou conceded that France's policy in the Middle East "coin- cides only partially with French public opinion, but said that it is inspired by French self-inter- est. In an interview in France Soir, evening daily, M. Pompidou said he believed that President de Gaulle's widely- criticized press conference remarks on Israel and the Middle East. on November 27, were "misinter- preted." But, he stated, this will "correct itself" and does not need to be explained by the govern- ment. The Gaullist daily, La Nation, blamed the French press for the negative reaction to de Gaulle's remarks, and said that it was being used by opposition parties for in- ternal politics. The remarks in question were made in the course of a lengthy statement on the Middle East by Gen. de Gaulle before an audience of 1,000 journalists, diplomats and political figures who packed the Elysee Palace on November 27 for one of the French leader's rare press conferences. In the course of his statement, de Gaulle not only launched a political attack on Israel, which he called "a war- blce state bent on expansion." but impugned the Jews "through the ages" as "an elite people, sure of itself and dominating" who pro- voked "ill will in certain countries at certain times." First-hand reports of the des- perate plight of Jews in Syria who are afraid to leave their homes, and of daily beatings, tor- ture and sexual degradation of Jews imprisoned in Egypt. were published here. The conditions that Jews endure in Syria, whence they are forbidden to emigrate, were described in a letter published in Le Monde, which detailed official repres- sions and persecutions reminis- cent of those suffered by the Jews in Nazi Germany in the 1930's. Syrian Jews, the writer said, are forbidden to travel more than three miles from their homes and must carry special identity cards stamped with the word "Jew." They have been summarily dismissed from jobs, cannot dispose of their assets, and are confronted by a Govern- ment-imposed boycott of Jewish shops by state employees and military personnel. Their situation is aggravated by the fact that Syrian Jews general- ly live in the same neighborhoods as Arab refugees. The worst con- ditions, the letter said, are in the border town of Kamechli, where Jews are afraid to leave their homes. Assets belonging to Jews abroad have been confiscated. A tale of horrors suffered by the Jewish inmates of Axouzaabel Prison, in Egypt, was told in a nine-page article in the weekly Express. by a former inmate who remains anonymous so as not to further jeopardize the prisoners who remain. The Chief Rabbi of Alexandria, he wrot e, received especially severe treatment, being trussed up on cell bars in the man- ner of a crucifixion. As many as 70 prisoners are packed into cells meant to hold no more than 30, he reported. Jews are subjected to almost daily beatings and there were several cases of torture and forced sodomy, he claimed. There Were 350 Jews imprisoned last lime, the article stated, and 200 stns remain. The others were ex- pelled from the country after being forced to renounce their Egyptian nationality and leave all of their Property and assets behind. Times Reports French Jews Fear de Gaulle Awakened 'Monster of Anti-Semitism' NEW YORK (JTA) — French Jewish leaders are fearful that "the monster of anti-Semitism," dormant in France for many years, may have been awakened by Pres- . ident de Gaulle's remarks at his press conference of November 27. when he imnugned the entire Jew- ish people through the aces. in the course of a political diatribe School Restores Christmas Arts After an Earlier Ban • against ISr a e 1, the New York Times Paris correspondent, Lloyd Garrison. reported here. Contributing to their concern is the result of a poll taken by the popular weekly, L'Express, which ' showed that nearly half of all Frenchmen agree with de Gaulle's characteri'ation of the Jews as an EAST PATERSON, N. J. (JTA) I Gothic arches, as in many cathe- —The board of education restored dral windows. Vito A. Farese, prin- a Christmas display pf paintings cipal of the school, had the paint- of a religious nature which it had ings removed on orders of the ordered removed from the doors Board of Education. of Memorial High School earlier Their removal, however, drew on the complaint of a parent. Dr. Edward C. Fandt, superin- "vehement complaints" from par- tendent of schools, told the Jewish ents and students. according to Dr. Telegraphic Agency that the board Fandt. The school superintendent reversed its removal order after said that, as !"Lar as he knows, Mrs. determining that the display "did not violate any legal statutes or "elite" and "domineering" people who have created "ill will in cer- tain countries at certain times," Mr. Garrison reported. He added that French Jewish leaders "pri- vately express a sense of shock , and sorrow over the fact that, while most elements of the press rose to Jewry's d e f ens e, most I prominent politicians and civic groups did not. Bnai Brith Read Charges de Gaulle Stand is 'Mischievous' WASHINGTON (JTA) — Presi- dent Charles de Gaulle of France has been asked by Dr. William A. Wexler, International President of , Bnai Brith. to "seize an early occasion to right the wrong you have done — to the Jews — and to de Gaulle." The Bnai Brith let- ter to Gen. de Gaulle stated the organization's response to the French President's recent expres- sions. Gen. de Gaulle was told: "You have given renewed currency to vulgar and mischievous stereo- local regulations" concerning reli- gious observances in public schools. Dr. Fandt said that state educational authorities who were consulted ruled that the matter was one for decision by the local Board of Education. Mrs. Shirley Friedman. an East Paterson housewife, objected to the display at a board of educa- tion meeting. She complained that the paintings, which depict the Madonna and Child and the Visit of the Magi, "create a parochial im- pression on our entrance," and suggested that they "be given a showcase in our art department." The school doors on which the paintings were mounted were par- tially blacked out to give the im- pression of stained glass on French Friedman was the only person to register an objection to the dis- play. He said he had no idea of the number of non-Christian chit I dren attending Memorial High. Classified Ads Get Quick Results THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Friday, December 29, 1967-9 WE DEAL RIGHT THE FIRST TIME JERRY STEIN OLDSMOBILE THE EASY TO GET TO DEALER JERRY STEIN ALLEN CHARNES VICE-PRESIDENT PRESIDENT FREE LOCAL PICK-UP AND DELIVERY SERVICE 15205 E. JEFFERSON GROSSE POINTE JUST E. OF ALTER RD. VA 1-5000 HANUKA SPECIALS! BAGEL and LOX DISH types of the Jewish people which, thanks to the growing ecumenical spirit promulgated by Vatican were falling into desuetude. Now, old and shabby anti-Semitic ca- nards will seek to dignify them- selves through the invocation of your name, despite what may be your personal sentiments. Thus you have brought needless hurt to a people to whom France brought liberty, equality, and fraternity, and who have served her loyally." Ben-Gurion Sends Protest Letter to de Gaulle, Recalls Franco-Israel Relations TEL AVIV (JTA) — Former Premier David Ben-Gurion was disclosed to have sent a lengthy letter to French President Charles de Gaulle. in which he expressed astonishment at the General's No- vember statements assailing the Jewish people and IsraeL According to the evening daily, Maariv, the former Premier out- lined his view of Israeli-French relations since Israel's statehood, and particularly since 1954. He re- called his long talks with the French President, particularly his conversation with Gen. de Gaulle at the funeral services for former West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer. Ben-Gurion also touch- ed on the anti-Israel attitude of the French Government on arms supplies. It was indicated that Ben- Gurion anticipated a reply from Gen. de Gaulle. `Passion Floe" to Have Anti-Semitic Text in 91 Performances Old OBERAMNIERGALT, G e r m a n y (JTA)The Passion Play, which is staged in this Bavarian town every 10 years, will be preformed 91 0, using intact the anti- times in i97 Semitic text of 1850, despite world- wide protests, it was learned here today. The protests in 1966 and early 1967 reached such a pitch that Dr. Alfons Goppel, minister president of Bavaria, promised to seek to rammergau sponsors induce the Obe to use a different text. His efforts failed. Hans Schwaigerhof, who was to have directed the 1970 perform- ances, resigned in protest against the anti-Semitic text. The text portrays the Jews as a fiendish bloodthirsty people. Ten leading American intellect- uals joined in November 1966, in a call for a worldwide boycott of the Passion Play. 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