Israels first act was to open its doors to homeless Jews all over the world. While skeptical observers warned that any large addition to the population would overwhelm the young economy and guarantee bankruptcy. the Government proclaimed the law of return. giving every Jew the right. without restriction. to return to Israel. From the day of independence in May 1948 to the end of 1952. 700.000 immigrants entered Israel. more than doubling the original population of 650.000. Over half the newcomers were the remnant of Eastern European Jewry. many of them broken in body and spirit after years in concentration and DP camps. Most of the rest were Jews from North Africa.
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immigrants