Frisch Proposes $2,000,000 Fund for Economic Aid to “forgotten Middleman” in Israel

Daniel Frisch, president of the Zionist Organization of America, who returned yesterday from a four week mission to Israel, today announced plans for the launching of a $2,000,000 annual fund by the Z.O.A. to finance three major American Zionist projects in Israel. These projects will embrace:

1. The building of colonies based on the principle of private home ownership. The only exception will be the land which is to be public domain allocated by the Jewish National Fund. 2. The establishment of a chain of small loan societies in Israel, the chief purpose of which will be to assist the small trader and business man. 3. The erection of housing to help these same elements whom Mr. Frisch termed as the “forgotten man”.

Speaking at a press conference at the Hotel Astor, Mr. Frisch indicated that the colonies to be established will be designed to accommodate family groups, two-thirds of each comprising “pioneers” who come from the United States. The Zionist president criticized the failure of the conference held last week in Tel Aviv, which was convened to discuss the future of the United Jewish Appeal in the United States.

In order to assist in bringing about unification, Mr. Frisch asserted the Z.O.A. was and is willing to forego the launching of any independent fund-raising campaign if such unification is brought about. “Unfortunately, it seems that in order to cover up the failure of the conference to achieve its purpose, it apparently decided to appoint a coordinating committee which in effect means the harmful continuation of the splintering of our efforts at a time when complete unification of all public drives for Israel would, in my judgment, have been the strongest stimulus toward a more successful U.J.A. for 1950,” he added.

One of the main objectives of Mr. Frisch’s visit and the delegation which accompanied him was to completive arrangements for the establishment of an American Zionist House in Tel Aviv with branches in Haifa and Jerusalem. Mr. Frisch announced that foremost Israeli architects have been invited to join a national contest for plans for the House. The final date of the contest has been set for August 22nd, following which, Mr. Frisch said, the Z.O.A. will immediately proceed with the building of the House.