Brothers For Resistance And Rescue By David Gur

escaped once and managed to reach the Hungarian border where he was caught and returned tohis unit. He ran away again and succeeded in reaching Budapest. He immediately joined theunderground activities. Hunwald, one of the “Hashomer Hatzair” leaders, had leadership andorganization skills so it was natural that he should be the manager of the “Glass House”. LikeGrossmann, his predecessor, he had bitter arguments with Arthur Weisz about accepting moreJews into the house. Hundreds of people assembled each day in front of the gate of the “GlassHouse” and begged for shelter. The relationship between the two worsened.On November 23rd at 5 o'clock in the morning, there were sounds of guns hitting the gate. One ofthe guards hurried to wake Arthur Weisz who got dressed and arrived at the gate. He went out onthe street where he confronted a gendarme lieutenant escorted by a squad of soldiers. “We havean order to look for weapons” the lieutenant announced.“I firmly protest the violation of the diplomatic status of this house” said Weisz while pointing at thesign on the gate.“I have a written order” the lieutenant insisted.“And I have a written certificate from your commander, lieutenant colonel Ferenczy”, repliedWeisz.The lieutenant hesitated, turned to his soldiers and told then to leave the place. He turned aroundand mumbled: “Don’t worry, I will return”.On 1.1.1945 a unit of Arrow Cross men with Pál Fábry at its head appeared in front of the gate. “Iwant to speak to Arthur Weisz” he said aggressively.Weisz came down from his office and stood behind the gate guard. “Here I am”, he announced. Heknew Fábry who was the commander of a military unit whose base was in the neighborhood. “Whatis the matter?” he asked.“Mr. Weisz”, Fábry said politely, “I request that you follow me. My fellow officers and myself wantto discuss with you issues related to the consulate house.”Weisz hesitated and did not answer.“You had better come with me for your own sake and the sake of the people living here. I give youmy word as a Hungarian officer that nothing bad will happen to you.”“I want to consult my friends and will return at once” replied Weisz.“Don’t go on any account! You cannot trust them! Find an excuse or offer him a bribe or food” hisfriends, Mezei and Salamon, advised him.“I am going”, Weisz suddenly announced. He left the house and got into Fábry’s car. The cardrove in the direction of the Parliament. From that moment Weisz’s traces disappeared.It was late at night. The small black car of the consulate with the Swiss emblem on its doors camethrough the gate. Simha Hunwald got out of the car. The minute he saw the people’s faces heunderstood that something had happened.“Arrow Cross men with Fábry, the officer, took Arthur away. We clearly told him not to go”, heBrothers for Resistance and Rescue 28