Speech #1020224904

The Israeli people and Government cannot depend on election year politics to assure disbursal of the loan guarantees. Their need for U.S. absorption guarantees is compelling. Although the number of immigrants to Israel has dropped dramatically in recent months. there will soon be half a million new immigrants in that country. and the political and civil strife in Central Europe. the Caucasus. and other wartorn areas are expected to contribute an additional 500.000 immigrants to Israel in the next few years. Israels open door immigration policy is unmatched by anye other nation. Israel welcomes the elderly. the chronically ill. and the mentally and physically disabled. It is not a simple or inexpensive task to provide for their well being. The Israeli Government knows this. but continues to accept them anyway. The massive flow of immigrants into Israels borders have created an unemployment rate of 11.6 percent. That number could increase to 15 percent by the end of the year. In addition. the influx of immigrants has outpaced the construction of new housing. The delay in disbursing loan guarantees has caused the cancellation of building contracts for 15.000 housing units across the country. leaving 98.000 immigrant families without permanent housing. Mr. President. as chairman and cochairman of the Helsinki Commission over the last several years. I have been intimately involved in the plight of many of the Russian immigrants travelling to Israel. Commission members have visited with the leaders of the former Soviet Union on many occasions to present lists to the Soviet Government of Soviet Jews wishing to emigrate to their religious homeland. Although those lists were relatively small. our persistence and the consistent pressure of our Government have finally opened the way for hundreds of thousands of Jewish refugees to leave the republics of the former Soviet Union. More than 1.2 million Soviet Jews hold approved family reunification requests for immigration to Israel. I believe the United States has the responsibility to follow through with its policy of allowing emigration from the former Soviet Union. We cannot now abandon those Soviet Jews whom we helped realize their dream of joining their families and brethren in Israel. These guarantees will go a long way in assisting in their smooth absorption into Israeli eociety.