Two associations representing immigrants from North America and from Britain have protested bitterly over the high cost of housing in Israel and demanded that the government do something about it without delay. The convention of the Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel which wound up a two-day session in Haifa today called on the government and the Jewish Agency to implement “a radical change” in the present housing policy to bring down soaring prices and to provide more rental housing.
The Association of British Settlers which closed its convention in Jerusalem last night, accused the government of “surrender to vested interests” which has permitted the price of flats to rise. “This conference views with concern and alarm the abandonment of all semblance of official control over the price of private apartments, especially in Jerusalem,” its resolution declared. It demanded “energetic action” on the part of the government to reverse the trend.
The British settlers called for the mass construction of low rental housing for young single adults and married couples. The Americans and Canadians suggested that the authorities change the present restrictions imposed by the Government Land Authority and release public land which it was holding back so that prices could be reduced.
The North American immigrants also protested the government’s plan to reduce the incentives presently granted new settlers in the acquisition of housing and the exemption from customs levies on certain dutiable items they bring into the country. The government’s plan, announced last year, war in response to economic exigencies and also to complaints in many quarters that new immigrants were getting favored treatment.
CONCERNED OVER ALIYA LAG, HIGH RETURNEE RATE
At the convention representing 40,000 Americans and Canadians in Israel, serious concern was voiced over the lag in immigration from North America which fell below expectations last year and over the high rate of return among immigrants from the US and Canada. Speakers blamed the situation in part on what they described as the negative atmosphere toward immigrants prevailing in substantial segments of Israeli society. The plan to reduce incentives was a contributory factor, they said.
Several speakers referred to Premier Golda Meir’s recent remarks that she was “shocked” at the negative atmosphere but said her remark was “too little and too late.” The convention decided to implement an extensive information program to explain the new immigrants to the established population.
NEGATIVE ATTITUDE IN GOVT., AGENCY CIRCLES
Dr. George Wise, Chancellor of Tel Aviv University who was the principal speaker at the opening session, blamed the negative atmosphere for the high percentage of returnees among American and Canadian olim. He said that while the rate of return decreased somewhat last year, it was still in the neighborhood of 30 percent compared to ten percent among immigrants from other areas. The convention expressed concern over the fact that only 8500 persons emigrated from North America last year instead of the 10,000 anticipated. Dr. Wise said the negative atmosphere was found not only among the general public but in certain governmental and Jewish Agency circles. He urged American and Canadian settlers nevertheless to make all possible efforts to become integrated into the Israeli population because Israel is now their home and the home of their children.
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