Immigrant camps (Israel)

The Immigrant camps in Israel (Hebrew: מחנות עולים plural Mahanot Olim) were temporary refugee absorption camps, meant to provide accommodation for the large influx of Jewish refugees and new Olim (Jewish immigrants) arriving to Mandatory Palestine and later the independent State of Israel, since early 1947.

The tent camps first accommodated Holocaust survivors from Europe, and later largely Jewish refugees from Middle East and North Africa.

By early 1950, immigrant camps were converted into ma'abarot, where living conditions became better and tin dwellings replaced tents.

The Jewish Agency was responsible for the internal management of the camps in Atlit and Kiryat Shmuel, while medical services were provided there by the Hadassah organization.

Following the UN resolution on the partition of Palestine in late November, the Jewish immigrant flow increased and they were accommodated in new locations, established in former military camps, evacuated by the British.

Over 80% of the transition camp residents were Jewish refugees from across Arab and Muslim countries in Middle East and North Africa.

Ma'abarot, which became towns, include Kiryat Shmona, Sderot, Beit She'an, Yokneam, Or Yehuda and Migdal HaEmek.