Language:
German
Year of publication:
2000
Titel der Quelle:
Zeitschrift für Geschichtswissenschaft
Angaben zur Quelle:
48,3 (2000) 214-238
Keywords:
Jews History 1939-1945
;
Jewish refugees
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)
Abstract:
Swiss immigration policy toward refugees from Nazi persecution was driven by fear of flooding by foreigners, particularly Jews. Until 1938, refugees were allowed to enter the country for three months. To ensure that they would then move on, they were not permitted to work, to lease apartments or acquire real estate; neither could they obtain residence rights by the transfer of businesses from Germany. From September 1938 the border was closed to refugees who had a J stamped in their passports. Refugees found in the country illegally were interned under harsh conditions. The Swiss tried to find other countries willing to take them and also provided vocational training. After the occupation of France, the authorities, aware of the fate awaiting the refugees, did not have the heart to turn them back at the border. But when the stream of refugees increased after June 1942, the police chief, Heinrich Rothmund, ordered the border closed hermetically. Only public and parliamentary protest made him modify this order for special cases. Refugees who slipped through continued to be interned in camps. Immediately after the war they were again pressured to leave.
URL:
Locate this publication in Israeli libraries
