Eichmann Trial Stops In Uproar

Press, Volume C, Issue 29523, 26 May 1961, Page 13

Eichmann Trial Stops In Uproar

(ft Z Press Association—Copyright) JERUSALEM, May 25. Adolf Eichmann’s trial adjourned abruptly in uproar today when two Jewish survivors of the Nazi holocaust lost control and shouted wild threats which transformed the Courtroom into turmoil, the Associated Press reported.

Police seized a man who was shouting hysterically “You have helped the Germans and delivered the Jews to slaughter." It was not immediately clear who he was shouting at. Mr Justice Landau, the presiding Judge, adjourned the session and the Judges walked out.

The dramatic disturbance came at the height of an emotion-packed story by Mr Pinhas Freudiger. an elderly Jewish leader, who fought back tears and sobs But be was cool and collected In positively identifying Adolf Eichmann as the Gestapo officer who directed the deportation of 800.000 Hungarian Jews. Associated Press said.

Suddenly, the man, a broadshouldered Jew wearing a cap, arose, waved wildly at Mr Freudiger and screamed: “You saved your family. Mine was sent to death." The Courtroom audience of 750. most of them intimately connected with the pogrom, burst into excitement Guards rushed to the man and hastily bundled him out. Eichmann barely turned bis head to look at the scene. The witness was startled, raised bis hands to his eyes and wiped away tears. Mr Justice Landau sternly called for ordec and warned that he would halt the trial unless he got silence. The crowd settled down. A moment later, however.

a bearded old man tn the balcony rose to his feet, pointed dramatically at Eichmann, and shouted a few words.

He, too, was ejected and Mr Justice Landau sharply adjourned the session. All three Judges rose and walked briskly to chambers.

The second man was later described as an Orthodox Jew. Mr Abraham Cassirer. Courtroom interpreters quoted his screams at Eichmann: “You murdered. You beast of prey. There are still Jews who have not been exterminated and they will see to your downfall ’’

Mr Cassirer was calmed down by the security police snd promptly released. Police later named the first man as Sandor Szilagyr. Szilagye. who shook his fist furiously in Court, also shouted that Mr Freudiger had no right to take the witness stand, crying: "You are a hypocrite." Today’s interruption was the second in the trial, now in its seventh week. The first was a fortnight ago, when another Hungarianborn Jew. Mr Svi Schaefer, shouted abuse at Eichmann and told reporters afterwards: “Whv do they t-v hitn? Why don’t they kill him?"

The hearing resumed after about 15 minutes. Mr Justiee Landau said that if there were any further disturbances he would clear the public gallery.