Language:
English
Year of publication:
2009
Titel der Quelle:
Australian Jewish Historical Society Journal
Angaben zur Quelle:
19,3 (2009) 354-404
Keywords:
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) Influence
;
Jewish refugees
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)
;
Holocaust survivors
;
War crime trials
Abstract:
Discusses the policy and practice of the Australian government that allowed a disproportionately large number of war criminals and Nazi collaborators into Australia, while minimizing the number of Jewish DPs allowed in. Attributes the failure of the screening process of prospective immigrants from Europe to ignorance, negligence, and haste of the Australians and, before them, of the International Refugee Organization (that preselected some of the immigration candidates), rather than to intention. However, the "Aryan" appearance and healthy state of non-Jews versus those of Jewish survivors often predisposed Australian officials toward the non-Jews. Anti-Jewish discrimination was also present in the general refusal of Australia to cover the travel expenses of Jewish immigrants. Details the subterfuges by war criminals, like the Latvian Konrads Kalejs, that allowed perpetrators of atrocities against Jews into Australia. Notes antisemitism experienced by Jews who succeeded in immigrating, at the hands of non-Jewish immigrants on board ship and in Australian camps for immigrants. The prevailing fear of communism led Australian officials to be more careful in screening Jews than in screening fascists.
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