JERUSALEM (Dec. 28)
Israel’s Minister of Housing said today that the country’s population will reach the three million mark by the end of 1975. According to Zeev Sharef, Israel expects immigration of 60,000 a year and natural increase of about 40,000.
Mr. Sharef spoke to a group of American leaders of the Israel Bond campaign at his home here. He said that each new family housing unit costs $10,000 exclusive of the social services and educational facilities provided in every new housing project. He pointed out that Israel’s defense budget amounts to nearly $3 million a day or about 20 percent of the gross national product. He said the need was urgent for increased fund-raising and the encouragement of immigration to bring in skilled manpower.
