A deputation of settlers from North Africa called on Dr. Giora Josephthal, Jewish Agency treasurer and head of its absorption department, today to demand that all possible action be taken to obtain Moroccan agreement to cancel the ban on emigration of Moroccan Jews imposed yesterday. Dr. Josephthal explained to them what had been done and what was being in this direction and expressed understanding of their concern.
Apprehension about the situation was reflected in the entire Israeli press. The independent Haaretz asserted that all Israel was united behind the firm demand that the Moroccan authorities remove all obstacles to the departure of those Jews who wished to leave. The newspaper said that while it was too early to know whether emigration had been stopped altogether, it was necessary to see to it that the Moroccan Government kept its promises about Jewish emigration.
The Orthodox Hatzofeb rejected the argument that the emigration of Jews hurt the Moroccan economy, pointing out that in the past the local Arabs had favored the departure of Jews. The paper charged that the action resulted from Arab League pressure. There can be no doubt about the urgency of making all preparation for the emigration of Moroccan Jewry, it said. Similar views were expressed by Haboker, Lamerhov and Herut. The latter criticized the Zionist movement for ignoring warning that the Arab League would influence Morocco against Israel.
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