The Jewish Agency plans to resettle some 30,000 North African Jews in Israel during the coming year at an estimated cost of 450,000, 000 pounds, Dr. Giora Josephthal, Jewish Agency treasurer, announced today. He said that the funds would be provided by the government development budget, the Agency and by various campaigns in Israel and abroad.
Dr. Josephthal, who left for the United States today, said that half of the 30,000 immigrants–in 6,000 family units–will be settled directly in agricultural settlements. The remaining half will be sent to development centers, particularly in the Galilee and Beersheba areas. He revealed the Agency was planning to establish 48 new settlements on some 750, 000 dunams (187,500 acres) in the Beit Jibrin area, and 15 settlements in the Taanach area, near Negiddo–all within the next few years.
Dr. Josephthal’s announcement was underscored today with the arrival of a planeload of 67 North African Jews. This party is the first of five expected to arrive by plane this month, in an attempt by the immigration authorities to break the log jam in the immigrant centers in North Africa.
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