Anglo-american Inquiry Committee Opens Hearings in Italy; Will Visit Jewish Camps

A sub-committee of the Anglo-American inquiry committee opened hearings here today. The first witness was a representative of the UNRRA who gave the committee detailed information on the number and the situation of the Jewish refugee in Italy. He emphasized that none of them wished to return to their former countries of residence.

Charles Passman, a representative of the Joint Distribution Committee, also testified that there is hardly one Jewish refugee in Italy who thinks of returning to his native land. Most of them, he said, are anxious to get to Palestine. Asked why the number of Jewish youths was proportionally greater among the refugees in Italy than in any other country in Europe, Passman replied that these young people came to Italy “as the last station on the way to Palestine.”

Jacob Garfunkel, chairman of the Central Committee of Jewish Refugees, submitted to the committee a detailed memorandum on the situation and the aspirations of the displaced Jews in Italy. Answering questions, he emphasized that the Jewish problem is not one of refugees alone, but of Jewish homelessness in general.

Rafael Cantoni, submitting memorandums in behalf of the Union of Jewish Communities and of the Zionist Federation, told the committee that Italian Jews feel that the only solution of the Jewish problem is establishment of a Jewish State in Palestine.

The members of the sub-committee are leaving tomorrow for a visit to the camps for displaced Jews. They will be accompanied by representatives of the UNRRA and the JDC. They are scheduled to leave for Cairo within a few days.