American Zionist Council Hears Report on Israel’s International Status

“Substantial improvement” In Israel’s international position was reported by Israel Ambassador Abba Eban, addressing the American Zionist Council, at its two-day annual meeting which concluded here last night. More than 300 delegates attended the sessions of the Council which represents all Zionist groups in the United States.

“For the first time since our establishment,” Ambassador Eban emphasized, “the three major Western Powers are each contributing effectively and consciously to the increase of our strength; and this Western policy is accompanied by a broadening of our links with Africa and Asia, and a steady growth of our European friendships. To this spectacle of international consolidation we must add the parallel and consequent increase of Israel’s own cohesion and strength.

“I believe that we have either just passed, or are just approaching, a crucial ‘point of no return’–the point at which the issue is not whether Israel shall exist–for this is assured–but how she shall exist. We face the crucial problem of quality and character in Israel’s national destiny, “Mr. Eban stated. He also pointed out that “the non-Arab nations of the Middle East are awakening to the recognition of the fact that our region is not the inheritance of the Arab people alone.” Mrs. Rose Halprin, Jewish Agency executive member, presided at the session.

ZIONIST COUNCIL ACTIVE IN 77 COLLEGES; COUNTERACTS ARAB PROPAGANDA

Rabbi Jerome Unger, executive director of the American Zionist Council, in his report on the activities of that body since the last annual meeting, announced that local Zionist councils are now functioning in 477 cities from coast to coast. He listed among “our many tasks” the furnishing of information, research material and briefing resources on all phases of the problem of meeting Arab propaganda.

In the field of youth activities, the Council-sponsored Student Zionist Organization grew to 77 chapters on as many college campuses, interpreting Israel to the college community and counteracting Arab propaganda. Rabbi Unger also reported that the Council cooperated broadly with many Christians and inter-denominational groups engaged in educational efforts promoting understanding of the Middle East.

Mrs. Judith Epstein, former president of Hadassah and chairman of the Committee on Community Relations, stressed the need of intensifying the efforts to counteract the growing anti-Israel propaganda conducted in this country by Arab propagandists, both on the campuses and other public forums.

Avraham Schenker, chairman of the Youth Department of the American Zionist Council, said in his report: “The American Jewish community is now more than ever ripe for an expanded Zionist youth program. It must be our responsibility and our challenge to exploit this increased interest in Israel. Youth activities must take a higher priority on the agendas of the adult Zionist organizations.”

U.S. ZIONIST GROUPS URGED TO ESTABLISH AMERICAN TOWN IN ISRAEL

The suggestion that all Zionist groups in the United States should establish an American town in Israel, similar to the pattern set by South African Zionists was made at the meeting by Louis Segal, chairman of the Aliyah Department of the American Section of the Jewish Agency.

Following up his report that 10,000 American Jews have proceeded to Israel to live there during the last ten years, Mr. Segal said that the bulk of the American settlers were comprised, first, of pioneers, graduates and leaders of all Zionist youth organizations, who entered American-established cooperative settlements in Israel; and an appreciable segment of professionals who left for Israel to contribute their skills and know-how to the building of the country. In this connection, Mr. Segal pointed out that the settlement of American youth in kibbutzim is not to be regarded as a “mass movement.” He added that “only stout hearted idealists should enter kibbutzim.”

Another element which made up the total were persons of retirement age “for whom settlement in Israel means the fulfillment of a life long dream.” He pointed out that many Americans with a regular income from social security and other pension funds live in different countries. “Enabling the older person to live comfortably in the Jewish atmosphere of Israel not only solves many of his problems, but also creates a living bridge between Israel and the families of these elderly Americans,” he said.

Mr. Segal cited the problems involved in the absorption of the middle class immigrants in Israel, consisting of people with capital of from $5,000 to $25,000 who wish to enter business or establish small industries. “Unlike the chalutz or the professional, there is no guarantee beforehand that a certain business or small industry will be successful. “He indicated that the same problems of absorption exist in Canada and Australia “which also attempt to attract immigration from other countries and still have no practical plans for the absorption of middle class immigrants.”