The 100-member United Jewish Appeal study mission, which arrived here last night for conferences with Israel’s political and economic leaders and a tour of the country prior to the national annual goal-fixing conference of the US, was told bluntly today that the flow of cash from the American campaign and from other sources was “inadequate” in the face of the increased immigration from Rumania and elsewhere in Eastern Europe. Israeli leaders are planning on receiving 30,000 immigrants in the next six months.
Jewish Agency treasurer Dov Joseph, who told the Americans that there was not sufficient money coming in to integrate the expected new arrivals, stressed that there were still “unmet needs” with respect to immigrants who arrived here earlier. There is need for housing for 22,000 families–100,000 men, women and children–he pointed out. It will cost $90,000,000 to take these people out of transit camps, Dr. Joseph estimated.
He outlined a host of other needs, including the care of “hard-core” immigrants unable to support themselves, speeding toward self-sufficiency 482 settlements opened since Israel statehood was achieved, and the vocational training of immigrant youth. But above all. Dov Joseph called on American Jewry to join the Israeli people in closing the transit camps and putting their occupants into permanent housing.
Earlier today, the American visitors attended a memorial Service for Dr. Chaim Weizmann, first President of Israel. Tomorrow they begin touring the country.
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