Jewish Immigration from Germany

Increase in Jewish Immigration from Germany

1933 - 1939

With the rise of the Nazis to power in Germany, Jewish immigration increases dramatically, reaching 180,000 between 1933 and 1935. The new immigrants are mostly from Poland and Germany, and many are from the middle class; they greatly contribute to the material wealth of the Jewish community in Palestine.

In 25 August 1933, the “Transfer Agreement” was signed between Hitler/Nazi Germany and the Zionist Jewish Agency through which, over time, German Jews and their finances could and would settle in Mandatory Palestine. It was a major factor in the growing Jewish population from 174,610 in 1931, rising to 384,078 in 1936 and 600,000 in 1948.

Nuremberg Laws of 15 September 1935, announced by the Nazi regime in Germany, had triggered massive Jewish immigration. Through agreements reached between Zionist leaders and the Nazi government, Jews who choose to emigrate to Palestine can transfer their financial assets.