Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion has cabled to President-elect John F. Kennedy “on behalf of the Israeli Government and myself, the warmest congratulations on your election to the highest position your country has to offer.”
Mr. Ben-Gurion stated in his wire that the American Presidency is “a position which carries with it a momentous world responsibility.” Mr. Kennedy’s election, he declared, “is a credit to the American people which, casting off all prejudices in the matter of faith, has entrusted you with the nation’s leadership.”
“I am confident,” Mr. Ben-Gurion continued in his congratulatory message to Mr. Kennedy, “that the entire free world now looks to you for bold, constructive and far-sighted leadership which will contribute to the enhancement of human liberties, world peace and fraternity among men in all parts of the globe. The road leads to this goal: Unity among all free nations, and devoted fraternal aid among all peoples who need speedy and effective assistance from the wealthy, developed and experienced countries in order to close the gap between the satisfied and the hungry, between the advanced and the underprivileged.
“From the bottom of my heart,” Mr. Ben-Gurion stated in concluding his message, “I wish you success in fulfilling the goal with all your talent, energy and courage, fortified by good will, generosity and the pioneering spirit of your great people.”
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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.
