Problems facing young Americans who offer their technical know-how to Israel were discussed at a two-day conference here of PATWA, the organization sponsoring the emigration to Israel of professional and technical workers. About 200 members from major cities in the United States participated in the conference.
Addressing the parley, David Goiten, Minister Plenipotentiary attached to the Israel Embassy in Washington, said that Israel’s future development depends on its technological process, and that this in turn depends on the availability of skilled, trained Americans. “This is a reciprocal proposition,” he explained, “because the Americans who render their assistance to Israel also derive the satisfaction of contributing American techniques to the development of another important civilization outpost.”
It was reported at the conference that through its office at the Jewish Agency the PATWA can negotiate directly with Israeli employers for the placement of Americans. With the help of the Jewish Agency, this office is also arranging a series of special projects for contractual employment of Americans. The first project in this category offers American industrial engineers a one-year contract with all expenses paid. Negotiations for a similar arrangement for doctors and nurses are now under way with one of the larger Israeli medical service organizations.
The delegates also heard a report that the housing problem has been eased in recent months. Single people and couples without children are housed in hostels maintained by the absorption department of the Jewish Agency. Provisions are now under consideration for couples with children, it was reported at the conference.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.