The rate of Iraqi Jewish immigration to Israel will reach 5,000 persons monthly, Itzhak Raphael, Jewish Agency immigration chief, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency today.
“Despite the increased flow of immigration to Israel — which has now reached a figure of 18,000 persons monthly — we are far from satisfying the most pressing needs,” he said, adding that an immigration rate to Israel of 30,000 is now needed. He said this was especially urgent in view of the tense world situation.
Six thousand Iraqi Jews arrived in Israel during the past two months, he disclosed. Mr. Raphael asserted that simultaneous with the easing of pressure on the immigrant reception camps — owing to initiation of the plan to transfer new arrivals soon after their landing in the Jewish state to “work villages” — the Agency is encountering increasing difficulties in meeting transportation costs, “since the Joint Distribution Committee is reducing its allocations.”
The Agency official emphasized that “the United Jewish Appeal and the Zionist funds must find a way to avoid restrictions on immigration from countries where the situation requires immediate emigration.”
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