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Ben Gurion Anticipates Large Emigration of Jews from Communist Lands

December 4, 1958
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Prime Minister David Ben Gurion asserted today that “we are on the eve of another miracle in Israel’s annals which may not be less important than Israel’s liberation and statehood–the miracle of redemption of Jews facing spiritual extermination.” He spoke to a capacity audience in Habimah Hall at the opening in Tel Aviv of the new 20,000,000 pound voluntary immigration loan.

“We are at the beginning of such a redemption which requires the utmost effort from the whole Jewish people, primarily from the Israelis,” Mr. Ben Gurion said. He revealed that among the 2,400 immigrants who arrived in November, more than 1,000 were from certain European countries he did not want “to mention by name.” He said that 3,000 more Jews from those countries, including 900 under the age of 18, had already received their passports to Israel.

He stressed “the great achievement” already reached in gathering in the exiles. This operation, he said, had “no precedent anywhere in the world.” This had been possible only through the aid of the Jewish people and primarily the generosity of American Jews, he emphasized.

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