The Jewish Agency is making emergency preparations to help Argentinean Jewry immigrate to Israel, in wake of the economic devastation and accompanying rioting there. Between 6 and 20 people were killed during two days of nationwide rioting, and Argentina\'s President De la Rua was flown out of the presidential palace by helicopter after submitting his resignation. The Argentine government is facing default on about $97 billion of outstanding debt, and at least three Jewish-owned banks are reported to have collapsed. To meet the demand for Aliyah [Jewish immigration to Israel] services, all vacations for Jewish Agency employees in Argentina have been canceled, and the Aliyah offices are open until midnight. The Jewish population in Argentina is estimated at 200,000, and the number of Jews who have applied to immigrate to Israel in the past two days has jumped notably.



Knesset Aliyah Committee Chairman Tzvi Hendel (National Union) called for an emergency operation to bring the Argentine Jewish community to Israel. He said that he met yesterday with Prime Minister Sharon and the Finance Ministry Director on the matter.