Israel Relies Heavily on United Jewish Appeal, Eshkol Tells U.S. Leaders

Finance Minister Levi Eshkol of Israel declared today that the people of Israel regard the United Jewish Appeal as “unquestionably the world’s most important philanthropic fund-raising effort. ” He made his statement in the course of a review of the world-wide Jewish refugee problem at a meeting of the UJA’s campaign cabinet.

“We are relying heavily on the United Jewish Appeal to help us attain two objectives which are of crucial importance to all the Jewish people,” Mr. Eshkol said.”They are: 1, To effect the rescue of tens of thousands of our people from areas of danger and distress in Europe and North Africa and to bring them to safety in Israel; 2. To help us complete the absorption of more than 100,000 recent immigrants who are still living in temporary housing and who are only partially employed. “

Mr.Eshkol also pointed out that the humanitarian activities of UJA in Israel bring substantial economic benefits to the population.”The funds which are transmitted to the beneficiary agencies of the UJA in Israel are exchanged for Israel pounds to finance UJA’s local relief and rehabilitation programs, ” he said. “This exchange creates dollar credits for Israel which are of material assistance to its people in meeting obligations incurred in the period of large-scale immigration since 1955, and in maintaining the soundness of Israel’s credit in the markets of the world.”