Selected text
Various Jewish newspapers were published in Thessaloniki. In our house we usually read Le Progrès [18]. I remember very distinctly an anti-Semitic incident that happened before World War II. The Jewish neighborhood of Campbell was set on fire [19]. All the newspapers were writing about it with big headlines on the front page.
There was an anti-Semitic organization called the 3E [20]. When we were asking what 3E meant we were told that it meant 'Greeks Exterminate the Jews' [21]. This organization was similar to the organizations that existed in Germany at that time.
After the Campbell Fire we would see the Swastika painted on the walls of various houses. We were very afraid. Many Jews left Thessaloniki after this incident and went to live in Israel, back then Palestine. There was uneasiness among the Jewish population. But there were many Greeks who stood on our side and comforted us.
There was an anti-Semitic organization called the 3E [20]. When we were asking what 3E meant we were told that it meant 'Greeks Exterminate the Jews' [21]. This organization was similar to the organizations that existed in Germany at that time.
After the Campbell Fire we would see the Swastika painted on the walls of various houses. We were very afraid. Many Jews left Thessaloniki after this incident and went to live in Israel, back then Palestine. There was uneasiness among the Jewish population. But there were many Greeks who stood on our side and comforted us.
Period
Interview
Maurice Leon