The withdrawal of the Jewish Colonization Association from the Hias-Ica Emigration Association, which has been in existence since 1927 for the purpose of promoting Jewish emigration from European countries, was announced here today in a joint statement issued by Leonard Montefiore, president of the J.C.A., and Abraham Herman, president of the Hias.
The decision to withdraw from the Hias-Ica was taken by the board of directors of the Jewish Colonization Association as a result of circumstances created by the war, the announcement said. The Hias is taking over the work of the Hias-Ica, as well as its offices in Europe, South America and other continents. The J.C.A. will possibly experate with the Hias within the United Kingdom, the announcement added.
Prior to announcing the withdrawal of the J.C.A., representatives of the Hias and of the Jewish Colonization Association met here for several days to discuss plans for emigration of Jews from Europe to overseas countries. They also conferred with representatives of the Intergovernmental Committee for Refugees on securing transportaion for Jews who are expected to receive immigration visas to overseas lands. The Intergovernmental Committee promised to look into the question immediately.
The Hias delegation, composed of Abraham Herman, Isaac L. Asofsky and Iliya Dijur, president, executive director and general secretary respectively, today left for Paris to take over the Hias-Ica offices there and to complete arrangements for emigration of displaced Jews from Germany and Austria. Military authorities have granted permission to Mr. Dijour to enter all British-American zones in Germany and Austria as an expert on Jewish migration problems.
Prior to its departure the delegation announced that the Hias has received permission from the Polish Government to re-open its offices in Warsaw, and that negatiations will be initiated with Swedish and Swiss steamship companies to transport displaced Jews from Europe to various overseas points. About 40,000 Jews were helped by the Hias-Ica to emigrate from Germany and Austria between 1933, when Hitler come to power, and the outbreak of the war.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
