The Jewish Agency plenary meeting deferred today until the next Agency executive plenary in March final approval of the Agency’s 1963-64 budget. By that time, it was indicated, the special committee named for a joint review with the Government of immigrant absorption needs is expected to submit its report.
Reviewing the Agency’s activities, treasurer A. L. Pincus told the poplenary session that since the establishment of Israel, 1,083,000 immigrants have come to the country. The Agency’s expenditures on their behalf during the past 14 years, he said, included
$460,000,000 for organizing immigration and transportation of the newcomers, for their initial absorption and for participating in provision for immigrant housing.
He also reported that during that time, the Agency spent $670,000,000 for the establishment of 480 new agricultural settlements, $105,000,000 for Youth Aliyah, $59,000,000 for educational and organizational activities in countries outside of Israel and $50,000,000 in participation in educational activities in Israel.
He said more than 83 percent of the Agency’s expenditures went for activities directly connected with immigration, absorption, settlement and Youth Aliyah. During the 14 years, funds at the Agency’s disposal amounted to $1,479,000,000 of which $750,000,000 came from fund-raising campaigns. Substantial amounts came from West German reparations and in heirless property and Israeli Government participation in settlement. He emphasized that the total of income from all sources was not enough to meet the heavy burdens of immigration and that the Agency was forced into debt financing.
GOVERNMENT-AGENCY AUTHORITY FOR IMMIGRATION FROM FREE LANDS PLANNED
The plenary session discussed today a plan to establish a Joint Government-Agency Authority for immigration from the free countries. Moshe Sharett, chairman of the Agency executive, outlined the proposed Authority’s terms of reference which were approved by the plenary.
The Authority will encourage immigration from the free countries, plan absorption methods for such immigrants and deal with housing and coordination between Governmental and Agency departments for the immigrants. The overall goal will be to establish one address to which a potential immigrant can turn rather than having to approach various separate authorities.
The plenary meeting also discussed the question of immigration from Latin America. A Joint committee has already prepared a number of plans for such immigration which will be submitted soon for approval.
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