The existence of Israel depends on the immigration of Jews from the United States, Western Europe, South America and South Africa, Eliahu Dobkin, immigration chief of the Jewish Agency, told a press conference here today. He added that the present rate of immigration of 20,000-25,000 monthly cannot be maintained in view of the difficulties of absorption and the closing of the frontiers of Eastern Europe.
The European Zionist Conference, which is scheduled to open Sept. 14 in Paris, will deal with these problems, Mr. Dobkin said. Hundreds of Israeli representatives will be sent to Jewish communities throughout the world to train prospective pioneers for settlement in the Jewish state, Mr. Dobkin revealed.
The Agency official also disclosed that the bulk of new immigrants in Israel are either unable or unwilling to settle in border settlements or in the Negev. Of 8,000 settlers who established themselves in such strategic areas, he pointed out, 6,000 were native-born Israelis. Both the Negev and most of Western Galilee are practically empty, he declared, warning that “there cannot be a vacuum remaining unfilled for long. If we will not fill it quickly, others will,” he added.
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