Major Problems Still Facing Israel on First Anniversary of Statehood, Ambassador Says

Israeli Ambassador Eliahu Elath today issued the following statement in connection with the first anniversary of the state of Israel:

“The first anniversary of the proclamation of the state of Israel finds Israel victorious in its war for independence. For the people of Israel during that year there were no alternatives. It was a grim battle for the practical and heroic realization of a 2,000 year old ideal. The victories of war, however, are not sufficient to establish firmly a strong and independent state. What we seek now is peace with our neighbors and formal admission into the family of nations. The problems we are confronted with today are as great and possibly greater than those we faced a year ago. The ingathering of the exiles imposes upon us a challenge which we must meet if we are to bring about the full discharge of our moral obligation to world Jewry. The rate of immigration rises with each new day and the people of Israel are determined that the newcomers shall have all the privileges of every citizen of the state; the right to find their places in the life and activities of the country.

“During the past year we have had the unqualified support of Jews all over the world and particularly of the Jews of the United States. In the tasks that face us this sympathy and support must continue to grow so that Israel in years ahead may be privileged to play its part in world affairs and to lend its stature and dignity to Jews everywhere. On this historic day, the 5th day of Iyar, 5709, May, 4, 1949. I send to the American Jewish community the greetings of the Government and people of Israel and the hope that further solid links will be forged between this great democracy and the state of Israel.”