The influx of Polish Jews into Sweden has increased during the past three months despite Polish restrictions on exit permits for Jews which were supposed to have gone into effect on Sept. 1. The Swedish Embassy in Warsaw has issued 2,000 visas, and 1,100 Jews have entered Sweden so far.
The Swedish Government has taken charge of the new arrivals who come penniless and must be aided by social welfare authorities. Jews leaving Poland must leave most of their possessions and cash behind. But paradoxically some have arrived in their own cars, A high proportion of the emigres are students who are permitted to continue their studies. University vacancies have been created for them and they are given financial grants.
Most Jews leaving Poland appear to be going to Austria and Italy temporarily and then overseas, usually to the United States and Australia. Those who come to Sweden, however, appear to have come to stay. While Jews have found it easy to leave Poland, great difficulties are faced by non-Jews married to Jews. Some try to prove Jewish ancestry Polish authorities insist that all Jews must apply for Israeli visas whatever their final destination in order to prove that they are all “Zionists.”
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