Immigration into Israel from Iraq and other counties will be increased to provide for the reception of 100,000 persons over the next four months, according to a decision today by the co-ordination commission of the Israel Cabinet and the executive of the Jewish Agency. The major increase will be in immigration from Iraq.
The Bagdad-Lydda airlift brought in 650 Jews yesterday. Another 100 were brought in from Basrah, on the Persian Gulf, by special plane. They reported that several hundred Jews awaiting emigration to Israel are stranded in Basrah as they are prohibited from travelling from that city to Baghdad. Their situation, according to the arrivals, is desperate and they are facing starvation. The Jews in Basrah, they reported, are subjected to physical violence and Jewish dwellings and shops have been looted.
The liner Transylvania arrived at Haifa port with 1,260 Jewish immigrants from Rumania. They reported that Jewish emigration from Rumania will be increased beginning next month. An average of 8,000 Jews will be permitted to leave Rumania monthly for Israel, they said.
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