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Soviet Immigration to Israel Surpasses 50,000 Mark for 1990

July 3, 1990
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Soviet Jews continued to arrive in Israel at a record pace last month, comprising all but a small number of olim from various parts of the world.

Out of 12,600 immigrants who arrived here in June, 11,015 were Soviet Jews, the highest monthly total ever. The numbers were reported by the Jewish Agency for Israel and by the National Conference on Soviet Jewry in Washington.

An additional 182 Jews left the Soviet Union for the United States in June, according to the New York-based Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, which assists those who have received permission to come to America.

So far, 37,563 Soviet Jews have come to the United States since the beginning of the fiscal year last Oct. 1. The U.S. refugee quota for the fiscal year is 50,000 from the Soviet Union, about 40,000 of whom are expected to be Jews.

The U.S. limits have resulted in a sharp influx of Soviet Jews to Israel. In January, a little more than 4,500 arrived here. In May, the monthly number had climbed to 10,202, which was exceeded by more than 800 in June.

That brings Soviet immigration to Israel during the first six months of 1990 to approximately 50,000, Absorption Minister Yitzhak Peretz said Sunday.

Jewish Agency officials told a news conference here Saturday that 165,000 were expected by the end of 1990.

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