Figures released by the Absorption Ministry this week showed a decline of nearly 50 percent in immigration from the Soviet Union during 1974 and a total of fall-off in immigration of nearly 23,000 from all over the world. Absorption Minister Shlomo Rosen attributed the decline in part to the deteriorating political situation in the Middle East and statements by Israeli officials about the prospects of a new war. “These daily declarations about the danger of war do not strengthen our standing and cause unnecessary panic,” Rosen declared. He said the decline in immigration was “cause for concern” but predicted that it would be reversed.
The Ministry reported that 17,100 Jews immigrated to Israel from the Soviet Union during 1974 compared to 33,400 in 1973. Immigration from North and South America totaled 6100 in 1974 compared to 8200 in 1973. Overall immigration dropped from 54,890 last year to about 32,000 in 1974.
Rosen said “There is a defeatist view that as long as the present political situation continues, there will not be large-scale immigration. But I reject this view. It is a fact that despite the official political circumstances, some 32,000 immigrants did come to Israel. This shows that the difficulties encourage some Jews to come to this country and share the burden.”
However, Rosen admitted that he was less hopeful about prospects for immigration from the Soviet Union than he was two months ago. He said the recent Soviet denial of an understanding with the United States on the emigration issue had limited his optimism. “However, I refuse to say that we have reached the low point, although I cannot say we shall reach new records in the near future,” Rosen said.
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