Defying Salazar
Sousa Mendes’ conscience spoke louder to him than did Salazar’s Circular 14. Soon after the order was issued, he began secretly giving visas to select people he felt were in dire need. His infractions were quickly discovered, and he was warned to stop. But he continued, despite a reprimand in April 1940 from Salazar, whom Sousa Mendes had taken to calling “Portuguese Stalin”.
“[Mendes] was assisting total strangers. [He used] the authority inherent in [his position] against prevailing policy.” (Timothy Snyder)
“Rabbi Chaim Kruger with Aristides de Sousa Mendes,” Sousa Mendes Foundation, 1940
“He knew that he was in the right, and he spoke with his wife and decided that he had no choice but to issue visas to anyone who asked, knowing very well that he would be punished by the government. But he decided, nevertheless, to issue visas. He went through a conflict with his conscience, whose side to take, man against God or God against man.”
~ Henri Deutsch, Jewish refugee helped by Sousa Mendes
Header image: “Salazar (far left) kept Portugal neutral during World War Two,” BBC, 1940
A website by Nico Allen
Created for the 2023 Lowell Milken Center for
Unsung Heroes Discovery Award Competition
In early June 1940, Sousa Mendes befriended a rabbi named Chaim Kruger. Kruger moved in with Sousa Mendes but needed to escape France. Sousa Mendes offered Kruger and his family a visa, but Kruger declined, saying, “It’s not just me that needs help, but all my fellow Jews who are in danger of their lives.” (Rabbi Chaim Kruger)
Kruger’s selflessness struck Sousa Mendes profoundly. It made him consider something radical: the approval of all visas for refugees, despite Circular 14. He knew this act could cause his career’s end and would likely hurt his family. But he could not turn away. After consulting his wife, he decided to proceed.
“Visa issued to Marie de Bruyn in Bordeaux,” Sousa Mendes Foundation, 1940
“Visa issued to Eugenia Rozenfield in Bordeaux,” Sousa Mendes Foundation, 1940
“Portuguese passport issued to the Miny couple on May 30, 1940,” Sousa Mendes Foundation, 1940