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Polish-palestine Trade Boom is Reported by Consul in Jerusalem

April 9, 1933
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Exports from Poland to Palestine have increased by 500 per cent since the end of 1927, according to a statement made here by Dr. Bernard Hausner, Polish Consul-General, to the special representative of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Exports from Palestine to Poland have doubled during the same period.

“The articles which Poland is exporting to Palestine and the neighboring countries,” Dr. Hausner stated, “consists chiefly of timber, rye and rye flour, iron tubing, glassware, paper, textiles, chemical apparatus, fancy goods and machinery of all kinds. The articles which Palestine ships to Poland consists chiefly of oranges, tobacco, wine, books and souvenirs. Recently Palestine edible oils have also found a market in Poland.

“It may perhaps be interesting to know,” Dr. Hausner continued, “that while Polish exports to the United States amount to only 10 per cent of what America exports to Poland, the contrary is the case with regard to Polish-Palestine trade. Palestine and the neighboring countries export to Poland less than 10 per cent of their imports from Poland. Exports from Poland to these countries amounted this year to 6,154,000 zlotys, while Polish imports from Palestine amounted to 438,000 zlotys.

“In comparing exports from Poland to the United States with those to Palestine, it may also be worth while pointing out that during 1932 Polish exports to the United States, including Canada, amounted to only 10,517,000 zlotys. Polish exports to Palestine and the neighboring countries during the same year amounted to as much as 6,154,000 zlotys. Palestine, with its small population has, therefore, in proportion, imported from Poland a greater amount of goods than the United States and Canada combined.

“The Jews of Poland,” Dr. Hausner explained, “when they come to Palestine retain their preference for Polish goods. This sentiment they display here, not only because they are accustomed to articles of Polish manufacture, but because of their desire to maintain close relations with friends and relatives in Poland.

“In view of the present wave of anti-Jewish feeling in Germany, one may say that the position of the Jews in Poland today is the best in Eastern Europe. True, they suffer economically, but this is due to the general economic position in Poland. The Polish worker or peasant suffers no less than the Jew. Perhaps the Jew feels the situation more than the non-Jew in Poland, because the Jew depends upon commerce. In a time of crisis commerce suffers most.”

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