Polish Premier Josef Cyrankiewicz made it clear at a press conference in Warsaw that the Polish Government will not permit mass emigration of Jews to Israel, although it will permit Jews to leave the country if they can prove that they wish to emigrate to Israel to join their families.
The views expressed by the Polish Premier are reported in "Folkstimme," a Jewish newspaper reaching here today from Warsaw. The paper quoted the Premier as giving the following answer to a question on the possibility of the emigration of Polish Jews to Israel:
"Where the case concerns family reasons, we make no difficulties in granting emigration permits. This can best be seen from the individual permits granted. However, we have no intention to organize mass emigration. This could, among other things, be given false political interpretation. Justified applications are being given positive consideration."
"Folkstimme," the only Jewish newspaper in Poland, carries no positive news from Israel. On the other hand it tells its readers that there is tremendous speculation in Israel and that the authorities there are not punishing the banks or other financial institutions for charging high interest rates on loans.
A message of thanks to Israel–in the Hebrew language–was cabled yesterday on behalf of the Jews in Poland by. Warsaw Chief Rabbi Morenu. The message was sent in acknowledgment of a shipment of ethrogim received in Warsaw this week to enable religious Jews in Poland to observe the Sukkoth ceremonies. The shipment was part of a load of ethrogim sent by Israel to Jewish communities in countries behind the Iron Curtain.
In his message, the Chief Rabbi of Warsaw expresses his good wishes "for the building of Zion and the in-gathering of the exiles." He emphasizes that he speaks in the name of the Rabbinical Council of Poland and the Jewish communities there.
"Folkstimme" carries reports from the Soviet Union revealing that there is a great hunger among the Jews there for Jewish performances and concerts and that this can be seen from the success which a group of Jewish actors from Vilna are enjoying in many cities which they are currently touring.
Enumerating the Russian cities in which the Vilna troupe gave its performances, the paper reports; "Everywhere the concerts met with tremendous success. The audiences warmly received the performers and simply did not permit them to leave the stage by applauding them heartily. In Moscow, Kursk, Tula Klinzi, Novozibkov Briansk and other cities the Vilna group had to give repeat performances to which the same audiences came again.
The Vilna group will commence a three-month tour of the Ukraine next January, the paper reports. In the meantime, it is returning to Vilna.
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