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Their open activities at the rally caught some observers by surprise, because Holocaust denial is a crime under Swiss law.

Witnesses said two female Jewish journalists were roughed up by some members of the crowd.

Last week, the Swiss government formally approved an agreement delicately negotiated with Jewish groups on how to control the fund, recently established by Switzerland's three largest banks.

Last month's announcement of the fund's creation, which the banks initially infused with some $70 million, had ended months of public acrimony over Swiss compensation for dormant bank accounts of Holocaust victims as well as for the nation's wartime role.

The Swiss government has said it would not contribute to the fund until after a panel's investigations into Switzerland's wartime role is released later this year.

Blocher's comments were condemned by Thomas Lyssy, vice president of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Switzerland, who rejected the allegation that Jews were only interested in money, adding, "We are sorry that this man is using anti-Semitic slogans" to back up his stances.

Stefan Keller, a Swiss historian and well-known writer, said he had attended the rally and was "shocked by its dangerous and reactionary atmosphere."