More than 151,000 Jewish refugee immigrants entered Israel and 9,400 came to the United States with the assistance of agencies of the United Jewish Appeal during the first six months of 1949, Henry Morgenthau Jr. disclosed today in a report to the U.J.A. national campaign executive committee. The bulk of these immigrants came from the DP camps of Europe, 55 of which have been closed, Mr. Morgenthau said.
Outlining what has been accomplished in Israel during the past six months with the aid of United Jewish Appeal funds, the general chairman of the U.J.A. declared that 65 new settlements have been established to provide homes and a means of livelihood for the newcomers to the Jewish state. Another 60 settlements are to be set up during the second half of this year.
Of the 151,000 immigrants who entered Israel since the beginning of January, approximately 84,600 have been enabled to obtain permanent or temporary residence in urban or rural areas, the report said. The remaining 66,400 are still living in immigrant reception camps because of the acute shortage of housing. There are 28 such camps, in various parts of Israel.
The majority of the immigrants who came to Israel and the United States were assisted to emigrate from Europe, or North Africa, by the Joint Distribution Committee, which carries on relief, rehabilitation and emigration services in Europe and North Africa with funds provided by the U.J.A. Mr. Morgenthau stated. The J.D.C. has assisted in the liquidation of 55 DP camps and aided their occupants to emigrate. In the 23 camps still in existence, the J.D.C. is currently maintaining an assistance program for 60,000 persons.
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