Uzi Narkis, director of the Jewish Agency’s immigration department, has declared war on yordim. He issued orders yesterday to fire yordim, their spouses and children from any jobs they may hold with the department abroad. In a television panel discussion of the problem last night, Narkis demanded that yordim in the United States should not be allowed to be involved in any way that would “legitimitize” their emigration from Israel.
According to reports here, the number of yordim, Israelis who have left the country to reside abroad, has increased substantially since 1974 although authorities here concede that it is almost impossible to determine who has left permanently and who intends to return to Israel after a prolonged stay abroad.
Last night’s panel discussion followed an hour-long documentary on yordim who have “made it” in the U.S. The program focused on former Israelis in Los Angeles and the large Israeli community in New York City. Participants in the discussion disagreed with Narkis’ view that Israel should not in any way aid or encourage the Israeli community in America. They included former yordim, one of whom is considering returning to the U.S. after trying to resume his life in Israel during the last two years.
The documentary emphasized the “guilt feelings” of many yordim, especially those who have done well financially in the U.S. One important conclusion reached by the panel as a whole was that although financial assistance might encourage some yordim to return to Israel, it is by no means the sole incentive.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
