Should Jews be encouraged to settle in Syria?
The Philadelphia Jewish Exponent, in an editorial, answers this question in the affirmative. The paper writes:
The report from Beirut to the effect that German refugees and possibly Jews from other parts of Europe, will be permitted to settle in Syria, though not altogether unexpected, is, nevertheless, welcome. Investigations conducted in recent years in neglected parts of Europe, in South America, in other parts of the world, have shown that with few exceptions the Near East affords the best opportunity for Jewish settlement. Palestine is doubtless the ideal place. Official reports from that ancient country reveal the extraordinary fact that the absorptive capacity of the land appears to become greater as its Jewish population increases.
It is natural that the adjoining countries, Syria, Iraq, Transjordania, should desire to join in the progress and the development of their neighbor. Jews unable to go to Palestine are willing to settle in these countries. They should be given every opportunity to do so.
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