The possibility that the Soviet Union may soon permit Jews to immigrate to Israel was indicated here today by Dr. Nahum Goldmann, addressing a meeting of members of the World Jewish Congress of which he is president.
“Although I have no information, I have a feeling that the day is near when the Russians will open their gates for emigration to Israel, “he said. A similar possibility was predicted last week by Israel Premier David Ben Gurion at a public gathering here.
Dr. Goldmann reported that negotiations are now being conducted for the reaffiliation of Polish Jewry with the World Jewish Congress and that contact has been established between the WJC and Jewish communities in Hungary. The situation in Rumania and Czechoslovakia remains unchanged. Jewish communities there are completely isolated from the rest of the Jewish world, but efforts are being made to send a World Jewish Congress mission to Rumania, Dr. Goldmann told the meeting. He did not indicate whether similar steps were being taken regarding Czechoslovakia.
The World Jewish Congress president said he has learned from reliable sources that the situation of the Jews in Egypt has improved. No more Jews are being detained there and all Jewish community buildings which were confiscated during the post-Sinai campaign–some of which had been turned into concentration camps–have been returned to the community. The community, Dr. Goldmann reported, is considering the sale of these buildings in view of the reduced number of Jews remaining in Egypt.
Dr. Goldmann also reported that Jews are no longer being forced to quit their jobs in Egypt, and that attempts have been made to even persuade the Jews, mainly those who are wealthy, not to leave the country and not to liquidate their enterprises. Nevertheless, about 10,000 more Jews are expected to leave Egypt shortly in addition to the 17,000 who have already departed. Dr. Goldmann also reviewed Jewish developments in North Africa in the light of the present situation there.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
