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Poland Allowing Trickle of Jews to Emigrate to Israel, Ap Reports

August 16, 1968
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An estimated 800 of Poland’s surviving 25,000 Jews have emigrated since June, 1967, the month of the Arab-Israel Middle East war, the Associated Press reported in a dispatch from Warsaw today. The exodus is a result of the anti-Zionist, campaign conducted by Polish authorities which has deprived scores of Jews of their Jobs, many of them high in Government and Communist Party echelons, and In the communications and entertainment industries.

“Jews are allowed to emigrate to Israel,” the AP report said. “They apply for visas to the Dutch Embassy, which had been handling Israeli affairs since Poland broke off diplomatic relations in June, 1967. The embassy refuses to reveal the number of visas being issued,” the AP said. “Jews then apply for travel documents from the Polish authorities. This takes about six weeks.” According to the AP dispatch, “leaving Poland, their first destination is normally Vienna. There a Jewish organization gives them assistance. From there some go to Israel, others to various Western destinations, some with promised jobs ahead, others with uncertain futures.” The AP said “they go disappointed, bitter, feeling there is no future for them” in Poland. The dispatch quoted one Polish Jew as saying, “If I stay I am called a Zionist. If I go to Israel, I am considered a traitor.”

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