President Katchalski Views His Task As Unifying Nation

I am not sure I am the best man for this position but I shall do the best I can to justify your belief in me.” In those words, Prof. Ephraim Katchalski, Israel’s new President, acknowledged his election by the Knesset yesterday. He spoke to a delegation of MKs who visited his home on the Weizmann Institute of Science campus in Rehovot to inform him officially of his victory.

Dr. Katchalski had warm words for the man he had defeated, Prof. Ephraim Uhrbach of the Hebrew University. “I am sure Prof. Uhrbach will continue his contributions to his people as a teacher and educator and will add to the spiritual life of the nation,” he said. Referring to other men who had been mentioned for the office of President during the recent campaign, the Weizmann Institute biophysicist said “Israel could be blessed with such candidates.”

The Katchalski home, close to the grave of Israel’s first President, Dr. Chaim Weizmann, was a festive scene as family and friends gathered to congratulate the new President and messages poured in from well wishers all over Israel and from countries overseas.

Dr. Katchalski received the first word of his election in a telephone call from Minister-With-out-Portfolio Israel Galili minutes after the ballots were counted. Almost immediately afterwards, he had the official word from Knesset Speaker Yisrael Yeshayahu, and shortly after that the Knesset’s official delegation arrived to congratulate him and drink a toast.

Dr. Katchalski reiterated his view of the task of the President of Israel in more or less the same words with which he had acknowledged his nomination by the Labor Party last month. The task of the President is to safeguard the unity of the nation, to narrow the gaps and to prevent social polarization while raising the moral standards of the country,” Prof. Katchalski said. “To me it is clear that the scientist belongs to his people and country and whoever wants to deal with science must be involved in the life of his nation.”