Jewish loaders today reported here that since early last month the legal emigration of displaced Jews from Italy to Israel has been increasing at a terrific rate. It is new expected that some 18,000 refugees will have been cleared cut of DP carps, training centers and residences in the major Italian cities within another month, they said.
Before the mass migration to Israel began, there were an estimated 12,000 Jews in DP camps, 8,000 in training centers and 5,000 living in the cities. By the end of September or the beginning of October it is hoped to reduce that total to 3,000 in the camps–all with destinations other than Israel–4,000 in the cities and several hundred in the centers. At present the training centers are being used for transients only and are being closed up one by one.
The atmosphere in the camps is one of intense excitement. The immigrants have prepared their few belongings weeks in advance of their actual movement. They have purchased some things which they believe they will need in Israel and have sold bulky or unnecessary property which they have acquired during their stay in Italy. The I.R.O., which makes no attempt to interfere with the movement of the displaced Jews, does not provide them with a new set of clothing and a blanket such as are given to immigrants transported by the I.R.0.to Canada, Latin America and elsewhere.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
