I think we should have. The need is there now. We have had hundreds of thousands of Soviet Jews since 1989 who have emigrated to Israel. I believe something like 400.000. There are hundreds of thousands of other Soviet Jews who wish to emigrate to Israel. a very small country that needs some help. Many of us for years have been urging the Soviets to allow Jews to emigrate to Israel. Now that that opportunity is there we feel some obligation to assist. not to pay for it. not to pay for half of it. not to pay for a third of it. but to provide some loan guarantees as a way In which we can help. The nation of Israel is going to be ultimately responsible for the settlements and taking care of this massive flow of new immigrants into Israel. These immigrants are. in a way. returning to the homeland as a result of commitments that go all the way back. if you read the Old Testament. to covenants made to Abraham. Isaac. and Jacob. Many people say there should not be settlements on tihe West Bank and therefore we cannot give any loan guarantees unless Israel agrees to freeze settlement activity in the occupied territories.
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emigrate immigrants emigrated