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Poland Will Not Permit Jews to Emigrate After March 31; Exception Made for Palestine

February 18, 1948
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Jewish leaders were informed here today by Polish authorities that no Jew holding Polish citizenship will be permitted to emigrate from the country, except if he holds a visa to Palestine. Emigration to countries other than Palestine will be prohibited after March 31, the authorities declared.

In informing the Jewish leaders of the new policy of the government with regard to Jewish emigration, the authorities emphasized that this policy is in no way aimed at Jews, but is part and parcel of the decision taken by the government with regard to emigration from the country in general.

The authorities explained that the government considers that the condition of the Jewish population in the country has become normal and, therefore, there is no longer any need to encourage Jews to leave Poland and become wanderers or inmates of refugee camps in other countries. No difficulties will be made for Jews applying for emigration passports prior to March 31, no matter what their destination is, it was indicated. Such passports trill be valid for one year.

A report on the situation of the Jews in Warsaw was disseminated here today by the government information office. The report says that “gradually the Jewish population in Warsaw is being housed in reconstructed homes and the city is once again becoming the center of Jewish life, especially of its cultural life.”

There are about 6,000 Jews in Warsaw at present, the report estimates, of these, about 2,500 are employed in various kind of office work and many are working as artisans in cooperative shops. “Hundreds of private retail stores and small handicraft shops are being established,” the report adds.

“The Polish Government recently assigned a building to the Jewish Committee in which the Jewish Cultural Center is now being organized,” the report says. “Jewish youth voluntarily formed two labor brigades of 100 persons each who are participating in the reconstruction of the capital brigades chose the area of the former ghetto and have begun to clear the square in preparation for the construction of the proposed memorial to the heroes of the ghetto. Jewish youths from all parts of Poland will pass through these brigades. The youngsters are quartered in near by army barracks.

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