Foreign Minister Golda Meir of Israel said here tonight that “a stronger Israel–stronger economically, politically, and culturally–means a better prospect for peace with the Arabs. Threats and hostility cannot go on forever. I hope our Arab neighbors will come to the conclusion that they can gain more from peaceful relations with Israel and their economic and cultural ties with us than from continued hostility.”
Mrs. Meir expressed her views of Israel-Arab relations before a gathering of 600 Jewish communal leaders of New York at a dinner in the Hotel Pierre. The event resulted in the sale of $1,000,000 worth of State of Israel bonds.
Stressing the importance of the bond effort to the expansion and economic development of Israel, Mrs. Meir said: “I am certain that through participation in the Israel bond campaign, Americans will derive great satisfaction in the knowledge that they are partners in restoring Israel, the people and the country, and their ancient strength and glory.”
A plea for expanded economic aid and technical assistance to the Arab peoples in the Middle East was also voiced here today by Mrs. Meir in addressing a luncheon of the Overseas Press Club here.
Picturing the low standards of living in the Arab countries, she spoke of “all the fantastic wealth in land, oil, water and other resources” possessed by the Arab countries that are hostile to Israel. By contrast, she pointed to Israel’s accomplishments with fewer resources in a small area “which is no different than the soil across our borders.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
