“jewish Jokes” Generate Anti-semitism in Soviet Russia, Bucharin Says

Urges Fight to Nip Anti-Semitism in the Bud (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

“Jewish jokes” now current in Soviet Russia are generating anti-Semitism and they must be fought. This is the opinion expressed by Bucharin, member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, at a conference of the party in the province of Leningrad.

“It is necessary to fight against the so-called innocent expressions of anti-Semitism contained in the Jewish anecdotes which are now very fashionable. In order to nip anti-Semitism in the bud, this must be stopped,” he declared.

The growth of anti-Semitism in Russia was caused by the concentration in the large cities of the “Jewish capitalists and intelligentzia” from the western districts. “In these districts the Russian workers are ignorant and the Jewish poor from the former pale provoke jealousy and hatred among the retrograde Russian small bourgeoisie. Even in the ranks of the Communist party one can observe anti-Semitic tendencies, against which it is necessary to fight,” Bucharin declared. “The Jewish nepman, however, must be regarded as a class enemy,” he stated.