Israeli Premier Menachem Begin was scheduled to leave for Israel tonight, cutting short his 10-day visit to the United States by one day. Begin’s decision to return home earlier then planned was prompted by three opposition motions of no-confidence against the economic policy of the government. The Knesset will debate tomorrow the three motions introduced by the Labor Party. Tehiya and the Communists.
In his last public appearance today Begin addressed more than 1000 leading members of the New York Jewish community of a luncheon at the Sheraton Centre Hotel here sponsored by the United Jewish Appeal – Federation of Jewish Philanthropies Compaign. Calling for Unity of efforts on behalf of Israel, Begin said that “at this crucial moment Israel expects everybody to do his duty.”
Stressing Israel’s yearning for peace, Begin said that the achievement of peace requires “patience.” He said that the process of normalization between Egypt and Israel “is going on” and claimed that the peace between the two countries “is one of the achievements of our times.”
The guests at today’s luncheon were volunteer leaders, workers and contributors to the UJA-Federation campaign. The UJA-Federation 1981 drive aims to raise $112.5 million, Peggy Tishman, advance-gift chairman of the 1981 compaign disclosed during the luncheon.
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