The heavy waves of immigration of Jewish refugees from Algeria to France have slowed down somewhat, but the gravity of the problems posed by the many thousands who are already here becomes more apparent daily, Jewish leaders here said today.
Two reasons account for the momentary slowing of the Jewish refugee influx. One is the fact that shipping from Algeria to metropolitan France is tied up by a strike. Secondly, the vast majority of Algeria’s 150,000 Jews has already left. The remnants are expected to come to France before the end of the year.
Meanwhile, the Jewish organizations, particularly the central welfare fund, Fonds Social Juif Unifie, face the problem of supplying permanent housing for the immigrants, and caring for the large numbers of destitute, children, aged and sick.
Another problem facing the Jewish organizations here involves interceding with the French authorities on behalf of Algerian Jews who fled Algeria despite the fact that they held public office there. All of the former public servants have been ordered to return to their posts.
Some Jews have already returned. But those who are still here fear for their safety, in the event that they go back to Algeria. The FSJU and other Jewish organizations plan to take up this subject with French officials, hoping some means may be found to save these refugees from additional jeopardy.
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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.
