U.S. Ambassador Malcolm Toon today criticized the Israeli press for failing to describe the extent of American governmental and private aid to Israel while it belabored the Ford Administration’s opposition to foreign aid funding for the transitional quarter from which Israel would receive an additional $550 million. The U.S. envoy made his remarks at ceremonies dedicating a new immigrant hostel at Holon, south of Tel Aviv. The facility was built with United Jewish Appeal and U.S. government aid funds.
Toon noted that the U.S. has provided $108 million over the last three years to help Israel absorb immigrants from the Soviet Union. While that sum may not seem very big in relation to America’s total foreign aid or to the funds spent by Israel for the purpose, it was nevertheless substantial, Toon said. He declared that America as a nation of immigrants, will do everything it can to help immigrants settle in Israel.
Referring to Israeli press criticism of the Administration’s position on transitional quarter funding. Toon observed that last week tons of newsprint were used to deal with American economic and military aid to Israel. While the public reaction is understandable, it should have been possible to devote part of that newsprint to describe American governmental and private aid to Israel, Toon said.
The dedication ceremonies were presides were presided over by Yosef Almogi, chairman of the Jewish Agency and World Zionist Organization Executives, who noted that the new hostel will serve mainly single immigrants. He promised that the absorption of single immigrants henceforth will receive special attention from the Jewish Agency.
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.
