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Meeting Between AJC and SS-Obersturmfuehrer Kurt Asche

Minutes of the 15th Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Association of the Jews in Belgium (established in accordance with the decree of November 25, 1941, of the occupying forces).

Meeting of Thursday, April 23, 1942.

. . . . . .

9.

The Board of Directors received a report on the conversation between SS-Obersturmfuehrer Asche, and Mr. Benedictus and Mr. Pinkus of April 17, 1942. The report is enclosed.

[From the report:]

Moving on to general matters, Mr. Asche informed us that he would not like to have to reach the conclusion that the AJB (Association of the Jews in Belgium) is continuing with its attitude of passive resistance. He noted that one of the reasons for the establishment of the AJB was to deal with the lack of cooperation manifested by the communities...

Mr. Asche expressed his wish to hold regular conversations with us, and suggested that they be held on the first Thursday of every month, at 10 o'clock.

Mr. Asche notified us that the occupying forces intend to issue general regulations regarding the Jewish problem, and that he sees it as his duty to develop all the projects of the military commander pertaining to Jews. He hopes that the AJB will fulfil the tasks that will be given to it with the utmost accuracy...

Mr. Asche asked us questions regarding registration and found out that the numbers were considerably lower than those in the Jewish register, especially for Antwerp. He showed us a list of 1,500 persons from Antwerp who have not had their personal identity cards stamped with “Jude - Jood” as required.

Mr. Benedictus answered him that he supposed that these persons had moved to another city.

Mr. Asche demanded a detailed report on registration in Antwerp and its environs, which should be delivered to him by Mr. Holm...

Finally, Mr. Asche demanded that as soon as the final setting-up of the organization of the committees and departments is ready, a report of this set-up be sent to him...

From: Archives of the Ministry for Public Health.

Source: Yad Vashem - Eclipse of Humanity