The Israel Foreign Ministry today took exception to a statement in the Indian Parliament by an Indian Government spokesman that a large number of Indian Jews who had migrated to Israel had returned to India because they met a “color bar” in the Jewish State.
The Israel spokesman accused the Indian representative of having spoken hastily without a proper investigation of the charges. “It is known that only the smallest portion of the Indian immigrants to Israel have returned to India, while the majority are integrated in Israeli life and are now happy citizens,” the Israeli declared. He pointed out that the problem of returnees from Israel is common to immigrants from all countries and that a small number seem unable to adjust to Israel’s pioneering life.
“No one has found racial discrimination in Israel,” the Foreign Ministery spokesman insisted. “Such an accusation in an unjust slander on Israel’s good name in the world, and on the Jewish nation.” He also pointed out that many of the returnees have once again applied for permission to come to Israel.
As the Year Turns, Support the Journalism You Trust. JTA covers the stories shaping Jewish life around the world — with the depth this moment calls for. As you reflect on the year ahead, consider a gift that keeps independent Jewish journalism strong.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
