Dr. Israel Goldstein, American Zionist leader, today left for Israel to serve there in the capacity of treasurer of the Jewish Agency. At a press conference prior to his departure, he emphasized that “there should be a five-year plan to bring 1,500,000 Jews to Israel.” The feasibility of such a plan, he emphasized, will depend upon the cooperation of the United Nations, the United States and the Jews of American.
“The U.N. must put an end to British instigated maneuvers to take the Negev away from Israel to whom it was awarded by the U.N. decision a year ago,” he said. “It is the Negev where the greatest opportunities exist for agricultural development to absorb a large part of the new immigration. The United States should extend economic aid to Israel in accordance with President Truman’s pledges and the party plat forms, enabling large-scale development projects for industry as well as agriculture, times creating economic absorptive capacity.”
The Jews of America were called upon by Dr. Goldstein to do their share by contributions and capital investments. “There are growing opportunities for capital investment in Israel,” he said. It can and should develop a great tourist trade, he added. “American Jewish businessmen can play an important part in the economic development of Israel by offering not only capital, but American technological skills and business ‘know-how.’ For the immediate present, however, the most pressing need is for contributions to the national funds, the Palestine Foundation Fund and the Jewish National Fund which derive their income from the United Jewish Appeal in the United States,” he emphasized.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.