Rivlin Says Increase in Immigration Causing Israelis to See ‘aliyah Movement’

Moshe Rivlin, director-general of the Jewish Agency, has reported a significant increase in immigration among young persons and skilled professionals from Western countries. Addressing a luncheon meeting of B’nai B’rith executives and Washington Jewish communal leaders held at the B’nai B’rith headquarters, Mr. Rivlin said this increase was causing Israeli immigration officials to think in terms “not just of individual olim (immigrants) but of a definite aliyah (immigration) movement,” from the nations of the free world.

Mr. Rivlin said that about 30,000 immigrants have arrived in Israel this year compared to 18,000 last year and that many of them were from countries where the Jews are under no pressure to emigrate. With regard to the United States, he noted that the number of immigrants had risen from 1,800 to about 4,500 of whom “about 60-65 percent are under the age of 40 and most of whom are skilled.” He said the same proportionate increase is occurring in Britain, France. South Africa and other countries.

(The Jewish Agency is negotiating with the Israel Lands Authority to set aside a plot of land to house 400 Orthodox scientists who plan to immigrate to Israel from the United States, Rabbi Morde-cai Kirschblum, deputy director of the Jewish Agency’s immigration department reported in Jerusalem yesterday. Rabbi Kirschblum spoke at a meeting of the Zionist Actions Committee presidium which convened under the chairmanship of Ehud Avriel. He said 50 families were expected to arrive soon.)