JEWISH RALLY IN MELBOURNE

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25796, 6 May 1949, Page 7

JEWISH RALLY IN MELBOURNE

PROTEST AGAINST GERMAN SONG

' MELBOURNE. May 5. Three thousand Jews stamped and shouted artgrily when they heard the German language at a Melbourne rally commemorating the first anniversary of Israel’s independence. Several hundred of the crowd packing the Melbourne Exhibition building had been in German concentration camps. A baritone. Mr Maxwell Cohen, had sung several bars of a Beethoven song in German when a voice * from the back of the hall screamed: “Stop it!” Others took up the shout and the audience stamped until Mr Cohen ceased singing. He took up the song in English and was warmly applauded.

. An impressive celebration began with a call on a ram’s horn, followed by the Israeli national anthem. Prayers were then offered for those who had lost their lives in the defence of Israel and for the British Royal Family and the Empire. Messages were read from the Prime Minister (Mr Chifley), the Minister of External Affairs (Dr. H. V. Evatt), ana the president of the Australian and New Zealand Zionist Federation (Mr H. B. Newman).

“We look forward to the development of Israel as a stabilising force in the Middle East as well as to Israel’s larger contribution to the cause of peace and progress,” said Mr Chifley in his message.