The emigration of the first group of “hard-core” displaced Jews from DP camps in Germany to Israel marks a major step toward the final solution of the Jewish DP problem in Germany, Austria and Italy, Moses A. Leavitt, executive vice-chairman of the Joint Distribution Committee, said in a statement issued here today.
Mr. Leavitt declared that a J.D.C. survey showed that about 4,000 Jewish “hard core” cases are in camps and installations in Germany, Austria and Italy, and that together with their dependents they make up a group of some 9,000 persons who, it is hoped, can be moved to Israel this year.
In Israel, they will be provided with a special rehabilitative care by a new welfare organization being set up jointly by the J.D.C., the Jewish Agency and the Israel Government. It is expected that with suitable welfare help about half of the “hard core” group can be re-established as self-supporting, independent individuals, the statement said. Mr. Leavitt added that Sammel Haber, J.D.C. director for Germany, had advised the New York office that if the present rate of emigration of both healthy and bedridden DP’s continue, 1950 should see the last of the Jewish DP camps in that country closed.
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