Hias Adopts $2,375,000 Budget for 1968; 50,000 Jews Slated for Migrant Services

United Hias Service has adopted a 1968 budget of $2,375,000, designed to provide migration and related services for more than 50,000 Jews throughout the world, it was announced here today by Carlos L. Israels, agency President. He said that, as a result of the Six-Day War “new and vital resettlement needs were created.” He referred to the more than 25.000 Jews who fled Arab countries in the wake of the swift Israeli victory.

“Members of our overseas staff are stationed at docks, airports and reception centers to interview and process the refugees. United Hias is aiding a significant number of these uprooted and homeless people to establish new lives in Western countries,” Mr. Israels said.

He estimated that, in 1968, the agency would be called upon to assist a total of 6,650 Jewish men, women and children from Eastern Europe, North Africa, Middle East and Cuba to immigrate and resettle in free countries of the Western world. “This increase includes 1,950 persons who will be aided to immigrate to the U.S., about 50 percent over the number who found new homes in this country last year,” he said.

According to Gaynor I. Jacobson, UHS executive director, French-speaking Jews from North Africa are finding excellent resettlement opportunities in Canada. This year, he said, in cooperation with the Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Canada, “we anticipate that United Hias will assist about 1,200 Jewish refugees and migrants, mainly from Morocco, to immigrate and resettle in Canada.

As for Cuba, the Hias executive noted there are still about 2,000 Jews there, out of a pre-Castro Jewish population of about 11,000. “In 1968 our agency will aid about 400 of these people to immigrate and resettle, mainly in the U.S. Since the Castro uprising, thousands of Jewish refugees from Cuba have been integrated into the fabric of American society as a result of the outstanding cooperation and support of local Jewish resettlement agencies in every State of the Union.”

In commenting on the budget, Mr. Jacobson stated the new U.S. immigration legislation, which abolishes the national origins quota system on July 1, 1968, has created a world-wide competition for immigration visas. “United Hias is making every effort at this time to expedite and finalize immigration plans for those who will be affected by the changeover in the law,” he said.