Economic aryanization measures in Algeria: first report
16
JULY
2012
In Algeria, as in the France of Vichy, "aryanization" economic measures were one of the major axes of the anti-Jewish policy. There, it was implemented within a colonial society. "To eliminate Jewish influence in the algerian economy …" thousands of properties and businesses, as various as real estate properties, buildings, villas, flour mills, pasta and couscous factories, stores, theatres and cinemas, insurance companies or even customs agents and freight forwarders are subject to appointments of provisional administrators. These orders were duly announced in the Official Journal of the Algeria. As soon as October 23, 1941, in just over ten months, about 3,000 appointed agents rule the Jewish economy of the colony. The majority of cities were concerned: Algiers, the capital, with over one thousand; Oran, about 500, Constantine over 200; cities such as Bône, about 150. The rich suburbs of Algiers such as Saint-Eugène and El-Biar, respectively between 40 and 70. Similar appointments in Blida, Sétif or Ayn al-Beida.
European origin of the provisional directors comming from France but also Italy, Spain or Malta, the professions carried on by number of them - the army, the agriculture, or the territorial administration -, are unique facets. These measures, introduced under the authority of General Governor of the Algeria, were approved by a large fraction of the civil society. What about the relationship between Jews and Muslims?
Regarding Jewish property management, some provisional directors were found - once the legitimate owners dispossessed -, at the head of several dozens of companies and Jewish property. Carelessness, irregularities and exorbitant behaviour on numerous occasions were observed. Such families as Aboulker, Achouche, Bakouche, Belaïche, Bendjo, Benichou, Bensaïd, Bensimon, Benyamine, Chebath, Cherki, Chiche, Chouraqui, Cohen, Dahan, Djian, El Baz, Guedj, Lellouch, Levi-Valensin, Médioni, Nakache, Safar, Stora, Tubiana and many others, were all over the country, victims of this policy of spoliation.
Return to the Republican legality did not immediately put an end to retrocession problems and inequities caused by this policy. The impact went on well beyond the reporting period.
| Speaker | Location |
|---|---|
|
Jean LALOUM |
Seine B |