Jewish Agency Says Israel Can Absorb Middle Class New Comers

The Israeli economy can absorb an average of 3, 000 middle class newcomer families annually, according to the results of a Jewish Agency survey published today.

The survey indicated that at the current rate of development there was room in Israel for 2, 000 self-employed newcomers in various crafts and for 1, 000 experts and members of the professions. The survey also indicated that Israel’s needs for the coming four years require the creation of 1, 000 small and medium-size enterprises, including work-ships, services and small industries.

Leon Dultchin, head of the Jewish Agency’s economic department, who outlined the findings at a press conference, said that the Government would be urged to pass legislation to encourage middle class immigration. He said conditions had to be created to facilitate the absorption of middle class members and craftsmen who, after integration, create Jobs for less skilled newcomers.

The Jewish Agency executive member said that while this was the least expensive type of absorption, there was no law to encourage small entrepreneurs who settle them selves as there was for capital investments which benefit non-residents. He said that for the first time Israel was facing the possibility of a large-scale middle class immigration, citing the immigration potential of the 800, 000 Jews of the South American countries. He added that this potential could be realized if adequate conditions were created including the required legislation.

Summarizing the findings of the survey, he said it had proved that Israel needed middle class immigrants and that the question was whether the Israeli economy was prepared to create the conditions for such immigration. He added that when the Jewish Agency holds its plenary at the end of the month, he would seek the activation of the joint Government-Jewish Agency immigration authority to promote such immigration.