“The problems of absorbing immigration from Iraq are numerous and difficult, mainly social and Zionist, but these surely do not interest the wealthy man from Manchester…” – An official letter from a representative of the Histadrut HaKlallit (General Federation of Laborers in Eretz Israel) to the main office of the Jewish National Fund (JNF) in Jerusalem. The letter addresses the Histadrut’s “handling” of Iraqi immigrants who arrived in Eretz Israel. 15th of Menachem Av 5703 (August 16, 1943) – Stamped by the Histadrut and bearing a faded handwritten signature.
At the beginning of the letter, it is stated that the estimated number of Iraqi immigrants at that time was approximately 10-12 thousand people. The letter details the division of Iraqi immigrants into physical labor roles by location: “The Jews of Baghdad, like all merchants, despise physical labor in general… therefore, there are almost no villagers among them.” It is further described that, despite this, “a small stream of immigrants from Baghdad turned, out of necessity, to physical labor, ” yet “their adaptation to work is very difficult.” The writer outlines the distribution of Iraqi immigrants in various cities and adds that
“the Histadrut runs a special club for Iraqi immigrants where they study Hebrew, the Bible, the history of the Zionist movement, etc. Assemblies and celebrations for Iraqi immigrants are also held there.” The Histadrut also succeeded in directing several Iraqi immigrants to agricultural training in various cities. Regarding the educational institutions for the children of Iraqi immigrants, it is stated: “The children of Iraqi immigrants generally study in general schools, and in Jerusalem among the old Yishuv, there are also ‘Hadarim’ of the Eastern type.” At the end of the letter, it is noted that:
“The problems of absorbing immigration from Iraq are numerous and difficult, mainly social and Zionist, but these surely do not interest the wealthy man from Manchester…”
[1] Leaf. Tear with loss at the bottom without damage to the text. Light stains. Filing holes. Condition: good-moderate.
