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"The incident of the stolen bread is an illustration of a basic defect in Mr. Van Daan's character." Can you defend or refute this statement?

I would agree that this Mr. Van Daan was not a character to appreciate in the least bit. Ever since he moves in with the family he had been complaining about there not being enough food. Then, he steals it just because of doing the act- not because he is hungry, or because he is in need. He is one of those simply mean for being mean's sake. He is no good and is one of the least likable characters in the story, specifically because of the way he sternly reminded Anne that her sisters were better behaved than her.

I agree with the statement. Mr. Van Daan demonstrates lack of character in other ways, such as selling his wife's cherished fur coat so he can buy cigarettes. Stealing the bread was as much theft from his wife and his own child as it was theft from the Frank family because the food was limited and had to be rationed among everyone in the secret annex. Mr. Van Daan is self-centered and willing to behave immorally for his own benefit.

Mr. Van Daan was definitely not the most endearing character in the apartment; if I had been Mr. Frank, I would have been really irritated by Van Daan's sense of entitlement.  Mr. Frank did not have to invite the Van Daan's into hiding with his family; the Frank's certainly would've been more comfortable with fewer people, but Mr. Frank's generosity didn't prevent Van Daan from fussing at Anne about her behavior, or stealing the bread when everyone, especially the children, were hungry.  Although many of the conflicts among the apartment inhabitants could probably be excused as stress and "cabin-fever," there's not much to excuse Van Daan, especially when you consider that he and his family were there as guests of the Frank family.