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Jews in Austria Withdraw Requests for U.S. Visas; Now Wish to Go to Israel

May 20, 1948
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Displaced Jews in Austria who had previously registered for immigration to the United States and other countries today began to withdraw their applications, explaining that they now wish to go to the Jewish state of Israel. ##nsion in DP camps in Austria is at an all-time high as reports of the Arab-Jewish lighting are receiving hourly and camp inmates speculate as to their chances for lift immigration to the Jewish state.

Col. Harold Brotherton, chief of the Displaced Persons Division of the U.S. ##med Forces in Austria, announced here today that the American Army will not ##inder displaced Jews leaving Austria, but stressed that the task of transferring them to Israel must be accomplished by such agencies as the International Refugee organization and the Jewish Agency.

Most Jewish refugees in this country expect to leave Austria during the coming summer, a Jewish Agency spokesman told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency today. The Jewish immigrants to Israel. These will be distributed immediately after the Austrian Government extends official recognition to Israel.

Meanwhile, nearly all Austrian Jews who returned here from Palestine have informed the Jewish Agency office that they now whish to return to Israel, since they have achieved the purpose of their return, namely, the restitution of their Hazi-confiscated property. Three hundred Austrian Jews have already registered for immigration to Israel.

An Austrian Government official said that Austria has not yet received official notification from Tel Aviv of the establishment of Israel. The question of recognition, he stated, will be considered when such a request is received. He emphasized, however, that any decision by the government would have to pass through the Allied Control Council.

It was reliably learned today that Jewish refugees in Austria will have to wait several months until legal shipping facilities for them to Israel are ready. Jewish leaders point out that Hashanah is thus deprived of some 1,000 reinforcements.

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