Do new immigrants arriving in Israel live in isolation from the settled population? Evidence to that effect was disclosed here Monday by Hillel Ashkenzi, director general of the Absorption Ministry. Addressing the WIZO Club here he cited a recent survey which showed that almost half of Israel’s population has not spoken with a new immigrant this year. It also showed that 18 percent of the children of new immigrants have no Israeli friends. Ashkenazi noted that of 5,000 immigrant children who arrived this year, nearly 80 percent needed special tutoring in Hebrew but only half received such help. He said the statistics indicated the need for greater efforts on the part of volunteer organizations.
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