Ben Gurion Indicates Possibility of Jewish Migration from Russia

“A possibility has appeared” of immigration of Russian Jews to Israel, Premier David Ben Gurion declared today in an address delivered at ceremonies opening a new newspapermen’s center in this city. The Premier described the possibility as “not certain but not unrealistic.”

The Jewish youth of the Soviet Union is “full of a desire to immigrate,” Mr. Ben Gurion said, because of restrictions on Jewish students in Soviet universities. A recent visitor had disclosed, he added, that Soviet universities had established a Jewish quota of 1.5 percent of the student body. Previously, the Premier stated the quota had been ten percent.

Mr. Ben Gurion revealed that the Soviet authorities were jamming Israel’s Yiddish Ianguage broadcasts beamed at the USSR. He also reported that despite Soviet press charges of “Israeli atrocities,” bot Jews and non-Jews in the USSR were speaking of the Israeli Army’s exploits.

Meanwhile, in anticipation of a large influx of immigrants, a fund of 5,000,000 Israeli pounds ($2,750,000) was established today for the construction of new centers for care of the newcomers. The project is under the joint auspices of the Ministries of Labor and Education, and the program will be carried out with the cooperation of the absorption department of the Jewish Agency.

The new wave of immigration into Israel brought to this country the families of 371 professionals in the three months ending February 28, according to the Jewish Agency. Of the total, 48 physicians and 96 other professionals found employment immediately, while the others are awaiting appointment to various posts.