More than 15,000 Argentine Jews turned out last night to give a rousing welcome to Israel Finance Minister Levi Eshkol and to officially open the United Israel Campaign here for 1955.
Several choirs and bands of Jewish youth organizations greeted the Israel guest, who was escorted by Israel Ambassador Arieh Kubovy, as he passed down the central walk to the rostrum. The flags of Israel and Argentina were hoisted over the dais as the crowd cheered. Then the national anthems of both states were played and the meeting observed one minute of silence in tribute to the memory of Dr. Albert Einstein.
Mr. Eshkol, who reviewed the accomplishments of the first seven years of Israel’s statehood, told his listeners that the country was already hard at work planning the giant strides it will make in the next seven years. For this purpose, he declared. Israel needs a population of 3,000,000. “That is why we ask for your money, but it is also why we ask you to send us your children.” Mr. Eshkol addressed the meeting in Hebrew.
Among the other speakers at the meeting were Ambassador Kubovy, Dr. Abraham Mibashan, veteran Zionist leader who presided and Dr. Israel Yagupsky, chairman of the United Israel Campaign, who officially opened the drive.
Yesterday Mr. Eshkol, accompanied by Ambassador Kubovy, placed a floral wreath and crown in honor of Argentina’s liberator, Jose San Martin, in the Metropolitan Cathedral here, and flowers at the Confederacion General de Trabajo headquarters in memory of the late Mme. Eva Peron. The two Israel officials were also luncheon guests of the director of the National Bank. During a visit with his opposite number, Argentine Finance Minister Dr. Miguel Revestido, Mr. Eshkol found him to be well-informed on Israel economic developments and especially interested in her water and irrigation problems. He presented the Argentine Minister with a silver box. Later, Mr. Eshkol visited Foreign Minister Dr. Jeronimo. Remorino, who said he was interested in a renewal of the Israel-Argentine trade pact.
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