U.J.A. Study Mission Inspects Israel ‘ship to Settlement’ Program

A total of 5,570 Jewish immigrants from North Africa will arrive in Israel during the current month, 570 above the scheduled number, Dr. Giora Josephtal, treasurer of the Jewish Agency, reported today to the 60-man United Jewish Appeal study mission which is now touring the country. Dr. Josephtal said that 5,000 North African Jews would arrive in Israel in November.

The Agency official described the “ship to settlement” program under which immigrants, after clearing customs and immigration at Haifa, are transported directly to their new homes in settlements. Each family finds a house waiting for it, equipped with the basic items of furniture, kitchen utensils, a ten-day supply of basic foods and money.

(A delegation of ten nationally prominent leaders of the Women’s Division of the United Jewish Appeal left by air today for a three-week survey of family needs among refugees and distressed Jews in Israel, France and Tunisia.)

The study mission went from Tel Aviv to Haifa yesterday by special train. Moshe Savidor, director of the Israel Railways, described the program of modernizing and expanding the railways. He reported that by the end of 1956, the railway system will be able to carry 4.5 million passengers as compared with a present capacity of two million.

At Haifa, the mission watched the arrival of 22 immigrants from North Africa, 72 from Brazil and 14 from Eastern Europe, aboard the liner Negbah. Immigrants from North Africa, who spoke with the mission members, said that Jews are now leaving North Africa out of fear for the future rather than because of present developments.