Israel Will Not Restrict Immigration of East European Jews

Jews from Eastern European countries will not be subject to Israel’s selective immigration policy, but will be admitted without restriction, it was announced here today at a conference on European and North African immigration to Israel. The parley was held under the auspices of the Jewish Agency’s European office, with a representative of the Agency immigration department attending.

It was stated that despite the difficulties raised by the authorities, a steady flow of immigrants continues from Rumania to Israel and 2,400 are scheduled to leave for the Jewish State this month. It was also reported that 200 Jews are leaving from Hungary this month and that the Agency hopes to arrange for the migration of 250 Jews monthly from that country.

Of the 7,000 Jews left in Bulgaria, it was disclosed, 2,000 have registered for emigration and the Agency hopes to arrange for their transportation shortly. Although more than 1,000 Jews have registered for visas at the Israeli legation in Czechoslovakia, it is feared that few will be allowed to leave. Also, it was revealed that the Agency is trying to arrange for Polish Jews with families in Israel to migrate there on an individual basis.

The Agency policy on Western European Jewish immigration is to concentrate on reaching Jews with special skills and knowledge needed in Israel. Since the creation of the state, it was reported, more than 25,000 individuals from Western Europe have gone to Israel, including 4,000 from France and more than 2,000 from Britain. During the same period 1,900 American Jews have settled permanently in Israel.

It is planned to admit 1,000 Jews each month from North African countries. However, many of them must first receive extensive hospital care and education to fit them to the Western culture of Israel. It was revealed that 5,000 North African Jews are now going through such preparatory procedure in Morocco and France.