Delegates to the International Israel Bond Conference who are currently touring Israel witnessed today a combined military exercise carried out by Israeli infantry, army and Air Force units. The delegates, who were guests of the Army Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Chaim Laskov, were later entertained at dinner by the General and his staff members and received Gen Laskov’s analysis of Israel’s security problems and how the army was prepared to meet them.
Meanwhile, several bond leaders from Albany, New York, delivered to Premier David Ben Gurion a special message of greetings from Gov. Harriman of New York. The Governor expressed pride in the fact that so many New Yorkers were participating in efforts to aid Israel’s economic growth through purchase of Israel bonds.
Other delegates visited Elath, inspected the rapidly expanding port and viewed oil transportation facilities and the copper mines at nearby Timna, which date back to King Solomon’s times. They were escorted by Elath Mayor M. Nenner, who described plans for a ten-year 10,000,000 pound tourist development program for the town. Among the major aspects of the plan, he said, are the construction of hotels providing 1,000 beds and motels providing 2,000 beds. The government has already been approached by private interests eager to build hotel facilities, he reported.
A large number of delegates witnessed this week-end the laying of the first rail in the new Beersheba-Demona railroad spur which will eventually be carried on to make a Beersheba-Eilat line. Levi Eshkol, Finance Minister, was one of the Israeli personalities who joined the bond organization delegates at the function.
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