SIGNIFICANCE OF ANTI-SEMITISM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00047R000200620003-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 5, 2013
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: March 25, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release e 50-Yr 2014/11/04 : CIA-RDP82-00047R000200620003-7
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
It4PC)FthAlAlrIC)14 FIE:PC)FIT
COUNTRY Czechoslovakia
SUBJECT Significance of Anti-Semitism
PLACE
ACQUIRED
DATE
ACQU I RE(
DATE OF INFORMATION
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AfFECTINO THE NATIONAL D$$$$$$
OP THE UNITED STATEN, WITHIN THE MANNINO OF TITLE II, SECTIONS 703
AND 704, or THE U.E. CODE, AS AMENDED. ITS r $$$$$ ISSION 0* REVD.
LATION OP ITS CONTENTS TO OR RECEIPT BY AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS
ANOWISITED NY LAW. THE REPRODUCTION OF THIN FORM IS PROHIBITED.
DATE DISTR. Mar 1953
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Unlike many other observers of the situation behind the Iron Curtain,
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not hold with the opinion that the Soviet leaders have decided on a policy
Of anti-Zionism, and especially anti-Semitism. While it is true that a 50X1
large number of Jews have been tried in various Satellite countries and
these trials were linked to attacks on the Zionists, cosmopolites, etc,
do not believe that there is any real change from the earlier pattern of
Communist trials.
Hthe emphasis on anti-Zionism is for momenta7v
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c?Ki_
tactical reasons only. While Jews are rather unpopular in many Central and
Eastern European countries, believe these countries are fertile soil
for any real anti-Semitism. ,It is remembered, however, by many individuals
in the Satellite countries that a very large nuMber of persons of Jewish scal
descent quickly seized the opportunity of obtaining high positions under
communism. Some of them - Slanaky, for example - were quite eager to be
more NLacovite than Moscow itielf. Thus, while all leading Communists are
unpopular, there is a more accentuated dislike for Communist leaders of
Jewish origin.
,In my opinion, the main reasons that the recent attacks have been concentrated
on the. :Jews are:
An attempt to blame all shortcomings on a group which is in a way an
Alien element and to pretend that real Soviets, Czechs, and Poles are
different and more loyal to communism thanthe cosmopolitan Jew.
The sacrificing of the most unpopular men in order to claim that condi-
tions will be better from now on.
A growth of emphasis on the more practical Stalinite approach, rather
than'ihe rigidly,dbetrinaireapproach usually taken by Jewish intellec-
tuale�who become uommunists.
Stalinfs memories of Trotskyism.
In my opinion, a very minor consideration: an attempt to appeal to the
Arabs.
CLASSIFICATION CONFIDENTIAL
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2014/11/04: CIA-RDP82-00047R000200620003-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2014/11/04: CIA-RDP82-00047R000200620003-7
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anti-Semitism will not necessarily be a factor in many
future trials.I not be surprised if in some of the later trials
someone will be tried for advocating racial anti-Semitisml or something
of that sort.
The general reaction of the bigmajority of non-Communists behind the
Iron Curtain (that is, those who dislike communism no matter whether or
not they are former ?arty members) will be:
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A feeling of satisfaction that at last the leading Communists are
being purged as well as the minor functionaries.
A hope that under favorable circumstances the purges might one day
lead to an open split with better chances for overthrowing communism.
An increased fear among minor arty and non-arty functionaries,
realizing that purges on the top will spread downward and reach them.
- end -
CONFIDENTIAL
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @ 50-Yr 2014/11/04: CIA-RDP82-00047R000200620003-7