II. The Jews from Romania in the Period from the Takeover of Power by General Antonescu Until the Outbreak of the War Against the Soviet Union
(4 September 1940 - 22 June 1941)

Ion Antonescu

On the 4th of September 1940, General Antonescu takes over the political power in Romania and ten days later Romania is proclaimed by Royal Decree as National Legionary State. General Ion Antonescu is named "Conducatorul Statului" (Leader of the State), with discretionary powers, the king's prerogatives being limited.

Horia Sima is proclaimed leader of the Legionary Movement.

On the 7th of September 1940 General Ion Antonescu gives up to Bulgaria South-Dobrodgea, (the districts Caliacra and Durostor), territory known under the name Cadrilater in which about 850 Jews lived.

From the total number of 800.000 Jews living in Romania, at the beginning of 1940 after the losing of territories in the summer and autumn of 1940 and until the outburst of the war against the Soviet-Union only about 350.000 Jews had remained in Romania. ¹)

On September 14th 1940, General Antonescu nominates the members of his government.

Except the leaders of the economical departments (Finances, National Economy and Agriculture), who were confidants of the General, all other ministers were legionaries.

Among the first measures taken by General Antonescu's national-legionary government were: strengthening the political, military and economic ties with Hitler's Germany and adhesion of Romania to the Three Party Pact Berlin-Roma-Tokyo.

The Antonescu government amplified and extended the anti-Jewish legislation and racial terror to its extreme forms.

Thus, during this period the Jews were eliminated completely from military service, tens of thousands Jews were sent in forced labor detachments, the young Jews were thrown out from all elementary Romanian schools, high schools and universities, the Jewish artists were removed from the Romanian theaters, the whole medical staff was fired, the Jews were forbidden to practice for Christians the profession of lawyer as well as the profession of chemist. It was forbidden to sell in bookstores books written by Jewish authors and it was ordered to take them out from all public libraries, etc.

The anti-Jewish measures continued with the seizing of stores, restaurants and enterprises. All urban buildings as well as all rural properties belonging to Jews were expropriated. The interdiction of radios, phones and photo cameras, the evacuation of Jews from villages and small towns, the charges and pecuniary contributions imposed, much higher than their possibilities, and other measures brought the Jewish population to despair and a life of torment. ²)

During the existence of the national-legionary state, the legionaries committed numerous plunders, robberies and crimes against the Jews and against some remarkable personalities like Nicolae Iorga, Virgil Madgearu, Victor Iamandi and others.

The legionary rebellion, which took place from January 21st, to January 23rd, 1941, made numerous victims.

In Bucharest the rebels committed banditry (plunders, devastation, arsons, killings), against Romanian inhabitants but especially in the Jewish quarters Dudesti and Vacaresti where true pogroms took place.

The legionary gangs gathered up hundreds of Jews in numerous torture centers, such as the Police Prefecture, Legionary Sections, Police Stations, the mill in Straulesti, Jilava forest, etc.

Tens of Jews were tortured and killed in the slaughter house, Jilava forest, and even in their dwellings.

Virgil Gheorghiu, the well known Romanian writer noticed in his memories:

"In the big hall of the slaughterhouse, where cattle are hanged up in order to be cut, were now human naked corpses … On some of the corpses was the inscription "kosher". There were Jewish corpses. … My soul was stained. I was ashamed of myself. Ashamed being Romanian, like criminals of the Iron Guard" (Memorii, Ed. Gramar 1999, pp. 523 - 524)

The tragic result of the legionary rebellion represents in Bucharest: 130 Jews killed, 25 temples and synagogues set on fire, 616 stores and 547 Jewish homes plundered, devastated or set on fire. ³)

It has to be underlined that after suppressing the legionary rebellion, the Antonescu government (without legionaries) continued and even hardened the anti-Jewish measures and terror.

The extremist anti-Semitic politics promoted by the authorities is very well pointed out in the memorable sentence which general Antonescu pronounced at the government meeting on April 8th, 1941 "I was brought up to hate the Turks, Jews and Hungarians. This sentiment of hate against the enemies of our fatherland has to be pushed until the last extremity. I assume the responsibility". ⁴)

The situation of the Jews worsens more and more.

In some localities the compulsory wearing of the yellow star is introduced. The Jews are permitted to circulate and to make provisions only between certain hours, hostages are taken, whose life is in danger, as well as many other discriminatory and humiliating measures.

The Jews called up in forced labor camps underwent a very harsh and inhuman regime (insufficient and inadequate food, extenuating work, precarious quartering conditions, beatings and humiliation).

---

¹⁾ See, Table No. 1, p. 23

²⁾ See, Lya Benjamin, "Jews from Romania between 1040-1940, vol. I -- Anti-Jewish Legislation,"
Hasefer Publishing House, Bucharest, 1993.

³⁾ See, “Martyrdom Of Jews from Romania," p. 73
Hasefer Publishing House, Bucharest, 1991.

⁴⁾ See, Lya Benjamin: "The Jewish Problem in the Council of Ministers transcripts,"
Bucharest, Hasefer Publishing House, 1996, ASB Fond PCM.,
Cabinet file 474/1941, pp. 60, 64, 65, 66, 74 (hereafter Benjamin transcripts).