The French Government has refused to grant permission for the emigration to Palestine of 200 Jewish children who were scheduled to leave this week, it was learned here today. As a result the sailing of the vessel on which they were to have travelled has been postponed, but not cancelled.
Refusal of exit Visas for the children was ordered by the French Government on the basis that the parents of these youngsters were deported by the Germans from France to unknown destinations and may still return to France and demand their children. Under the French law, parental authorization is required before a child may leave the country.
French authorities today stated that the goverment is contemplating the establishment of a special institution for the education of all children whose parents were deported from the country during the German occupation. These children will be educated at the government’s expense.
In refusing the Jewish children permission to leave for Palestine, the French authorities made it clear that exit visas will not be granted even to youths over 18. Thus far, exit visas have been refused even to children who have relatives both in France and in Palestine who autherized their departure. Exit visas have also been refused to Jewish children whose parents have never been in France.
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