Russian Refugees on Way to Palestine Stranded in Persia

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

Emigration of Jews from Russia to Palestine via Persia, the country where, according to tradition, the story of Esther evolved, is the latest problem which faces the small community of Jews living in the country of Ahasuerus and Hamman.

Teheran has of late become a station for Jewish refugees and emigrants from Southern Russia. Groups of Russian Jews who started out months ago to go to Palestine on foot are arriving here. Many of them in small groups crossed the Russian frontier without passports. At the Persian frontier they were arrested by the Persian officials. They were released on the request of the small Jewish community here. There are no Jewish charitable organizations and no Jewish relief funds in Teheran. The refugees had to be taken care of by individuals of the Jewish community. Each Jewish resident undertook to shelter one Jewish refugee for a few days. The situation of these refugees is extremely difficult, in view of their inability to speak the language of their hosts and the difference in the standard of living. Many remained without shelter and their problem can only be solved by a Jewish aid society abroad facilitating their immediate departure for Palestine.

The situation is growing more difficult in view of the increased number of arrivals, making it impossible for the small Jewish community in Persia to cope with the situation.

An appeal was made by the community to the correspondent of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency to communicate this situation to the Jewish public. A request was also transmitted to the Zionist Excentive in Jerusalem. Fifty of the group have already received permission to proceed to Palestine. Their departure, however, is delayed because they lack funds. Some of them started out to continue their journey on foot.