POSITION OF JEWS IN BULGARIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R011800310007-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 30, 2008
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: May 9, 1952
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/06/30: CIA-RDP82-00457R011800310007-4
rvnn nv. 51-IIAA
1952
COUNTRY Bulgaria
INFORMATION REPORT REPORT
SUBJECT position of Jews in Bulgaria
DATE OF
INFO.
PLACE
ACQUIRED
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE
OF THE UNITED STATES, WITHIN THE MEANING OF TITLE 18, SECTIONS 793
AND TAR,. OF THE U.S. CODE. AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR REVE-
LATION OF ITS CONTENTS TO OR RECEIPT BY AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS
PROHIBITED BY LAW. THE REPRODUCTION OF THIS FORM IS PROHIBITED.
1. In September 1944, there were approximately 60,000. Jews in Bulgaria. At present
only 10,000 remain, the other 50,000 having been.allowed to imnate.to Israel
with their goods and chattels.
2. Of the 10,000 Jews who still remain, approximately 5,000-6,.000 wish to emigrate;
the Bulgarians are not expected to prevent them from leaving. Of the 4,0:00
who have not specified a desire to emigrate, 2,000 have expressed the definite
intention. of remaining in Bulgaria..
3. There is some anti-Semitism .among the c.iv.il.iari population, but the problem is
not great because of the decreased Jewish population.., The regime
tolerates Jews. There is. an official. Bulgarian-Israeli.Committee;. the Chief
Rabbi supports the "Peace" Campaign.
11. Most of the Jews were merchants and professional men; the merchants have been
eliminated as a result of the nationalization of industries, not because of
persecution. Jews still remain in the professions..
5. The two high-ranking Jewish Party members of any cpnsOquence.in the Government
are;
a. Ruben Avramov Levi, 51,, one of the. Secretaries of the Central.-Committee, who
was.appointed President of the Committee for Science, Art,. and Culture in
early February 1952; and
CONFIDENNITIAL/C0MR0L -: U.S.Q. OFFICIALS ONLY
SECURITY INFORMATION
b. Jacques Nathan, approximately 50, not known, to.be.a senior Past$ member, who
is the Vice President of the Committee for Science, Art, and Culture
6. Luchezar Avramov, an up-and-coming.. Jew, is at present Secretary of the Dimitrov.
Union of._People:ls Youth.
CLASSIFICATION CO +J iAL/co TROL - U.S.,. OFFICIALS ONLY
CD NO.
DATE DISTR.
9 May 1952
NO. OF PAGES
2
NO. OF ENCLS.
(LISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
Approved For Release 2008/06/30: CIA-RDP82-00457R011800310007-4
 Approved For Release 2008/06/30: CIA-RDP82-00457R011800310007-4
CONFIDENTIAL/CONTROL,- U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
Comment, We consider that neither the Party nor the government is eon-
those . Lew who remain in Bulgaria must realize they will berequir.ed..to follow
Party principles- We believe the Bulgarian Communist Party is well pleased to
have Jewish brains at its. disposal.
eerned wit eliminating.Jews from responsible positions, particularly since
CONF'IDEN'rIAL/COI+1TlROL,- U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
Approved For Release 2008/06/30: CIA-RDP82-00457R011800310007-4