About 160 letters, reports and paper items from the archive of the Jewish Agency delegate to Algiers. Algiers, Oran, Geneva, Paris and Jerusalem, 1960-1962. Hebrew and French.
Archive of letters and documents of the Jewish Agency delegate Aryeh Amir, appointed in late 1960 and serving in Algeria until the retreat of French forces and the withdrawal of Jewish delegations in 1962.
The archive records the activities of the Jewish Agency, the political developments in those years and the disputes that arose between the different echelons of the organization. Among other things, the archive records the policy of "selection" implemented by the Jewish Agency with regard to Algerian Jews - intended to prevent the immigration of the sick and unfit for work - and Amir's efforts to bypass the restrictions and enable the immigration of as many Jews as possible, in light of their dangerous situation.
Items include:
* A letter presenting to Amir the conclusions of the Zionist Congress regarding the "selection" policy: "Under no circumstances should the mentally ill, those in need of hospitalization and families with no active provider be allowed to immigrate…". * A letter expressing sharp opposition to the absorption of Algerian immigrants whose medical and social condition is difficult, since these difficulties "will prevent them from ever achieving a normal life in Israel". * A report composed in May 1962, containing directives for activities in Algiers in a reduced format following the departure of most of the staff, and ordering the dispatch of the remaining delegates back to Israel within weeks. * An urgent letter by Aryeh Amir expressing deep concern regarding the fate of Algerian Jews following the cessation of the sale of ship and airplane tickets, and more.
Most of the documents are typewritten. Some of the letters are handwritten. Size and condition vary. Good-fair overall condition. Stains, folding marks and small tears to some of the items. Filed in a folder.