Three thousand immigrants from Latin American countries arrived in Israel during 1969 compared to 2300 the previous year it was disclosed in a report to the annual meeting of the National Association of Latin Americans in Israel which opened in Beersheba today. According to Dr. Jacob Blecher, chairman of the association, half of the newcomers came from Argentina. He said a plan was under consideration by the association that would double the number of Latin American Jews in Israel which presently stands at about 8000.
In a related area, an official of the Organization of American States praised Israel for training close to 2000 Latin Americans in the past seven years. Walter Sedwitz, assistant secretary general for social and economic affairs of the OAS said the Israelis had provided for 700 men-years in the form of technicians sent to Latin America. Mr. Sedwitz, who came here on a brief visit, said the purpose of his trip was to express to the Israeli Government and people the deep appreciation Latin Americans feel for Israel’s continued aid even in difficult times.
Dr. Blecher’s report stressed that immigration from Latin America is still characterized by a search for new opportunities among the young or by ethnic affinity. He said he hoped it would expand and become more idealistic in character. Dr. Blecher said his association was considering a plan by which each Latin American family in Israel will help another family to immigrate. He said there was a plan to bring an entire orchestra to Israel with their families, to be settled in Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv and another plan to settle 200 Latin American families in Beersheba.
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