Mr. KASTEN. in offering this bill to amend the fiscal 1990 Foreign Operations appropriation to provide for a $400 million Housing Investment Guaranty [HIG] Program to assist Israel in absorbing a massive influx of Soviet Jews. As a result of President Mikhail Gorbachevs glasnost policy and relaxation of emigration laws. literally hundreds of thousands of Soviet Jews are seeking to leave the Soviet Union. Most are going to go to Israel. This year. Israel anticipates receiving in excess of 100.000 immigrants from the Soviet Union. in contrast to under 13.000 for all of 1989. Estimates of additional immigration of Soviet Jews to Israel vary. but in all likelihood the levels will reach at least 250.000 or more within 2 or 3 years. The Government of Israel has prepared a large scale refugee absorption program. From domestic resources. the government plans to raise over $2 billion from loans and increased taxes. Jewish organizations around the world will raise at least $600 millionprobably more. One of the most urgent needs in absorbing this mass of refugees is housing. The stock of housing in Israel is completely inadequate to meet this unprecedented demand. and without substantial assistance. Israel will not be able to provide housing.
Keywords matched
emigration immigration immigrants refugees refugee