Three out of every four Jewish immigrant who entered Israel since it was established two years ago were directly helped to immigrate there by the Joint Distribution Committee, Edward M.M. Warburg, J.D.C. chairman, reported today. Of some 400,000 men, women and children who have reached Israel since May 14, 1948, the J.D.C. made possible the transportation and maintenance in transit of more than 316,000, at a cost of over $30,000,000.
The Joint Distribution Committee aided the immigrants extensively through medical care, food, clothing and maintenance assistance previous to their departure, as well as in J.D.C. transient centers, 20 of which still operate throughout the world. Moreover, Mr. Warburg said, tens of thousands of Israel-bound emigrants received useful training in J.D.C.-supported work projects and schools and in agricultural centers.
Nearly 200,000 men, women and children have left Europe with J.D.C. aid in these two years, Mr. Warburg stated. Major emigrations have taken place from Germany, with 64,000 leaving; Bulgaria, with 36,300; Czechoslovakia, 15,600; Austria, 15,400; Italy, 15,200; Rumania, 14,200; France, 12,220; Poland, 11,500; and Yugoslavia, 7,000. A total of more than 112,000 Jews from Moslem areas in North Africa and the Near East were brought to Israel, including those airlifted by “Operation Magic Carpet” and other air-rescue operations.
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