Israel Requested to Consult Jewish Agency on Laws Affecting Immigrants

The 25th World Zionist Congress today requested Israel Government to consult the Jewish Agency prior to enactment of any new regulations affecting the economic and financial status of new immigrants. Such consultation, the Congress stated, in a resolution furthering the new policy on increased immigration, should be held in accordance with the agreement between the Government and the Agency regarding cooperator between the two bodies.

In view of expected increases in immigration, the Congress also called for the preparation of projects in all branches of agriculture, industry and services, and for constant resurvey of all opportunities for immigrants in Israel. All institutions concerned with the absorption of immigrants were requested to evolve new methods for the individual care of the newcomers.

To help increase the flow of Jewish immigrants to Israel, the Congress called for: The sending of “first class” emissaries to Jewish communities abroad, to supply the Jewish communities with the latest information about Israel’s economy and the country’s immigrant-absorption facilities; the establishment of a financial instrument to facilitate the transfer of immigrants’ properties to Israel; and the speeding of the immigration of the pioneering type of newcomers.

The Congress resolution on immigration also laid special stress on the need to train potential immigrants “spiritually and professionally. ” It expressed “appreciation” for past labors in the immigration and absorption fields by the Israel Ministries of Health, Labor and Social Welfare; by Malben, the Joint Distribution Committee’s agency aiding aged, ill and handicapped; women’s Zionist organizations, associations of immigrants, and all Jewish Agency departments concerned with immigration.