Acting Premier Levi Eshkol told the 60 man United Jewish Appeal study mission here today at a reception tendered by the local bond organization that “today’s situation along our borders forces the people and the Government of Israel to look for arms to preserve the balance of power and maintain the present uneasy peace in the Middle East.”
Mr. Eshkol declared that “we need funds for arms, but if our immigration suffers because we need to divert funds for arms, then we have lost part of our battle. We would be retreating on the front marked ‘economic independence.’ Therefore, we need more philanthropic funds from the United Jewish Appeal for immigration and more bonds for development.”
Israel, Mr. Eshkol told the mission members, was united today in a spirit of determination equaled only in the difficult days of seven and eight years ago. He pointed to the Knesset vote on the security situation and to the “tremendous surge of voluntary contributions for defense arms.” He urged on the American delegation the closest cooperation between the UJA and the Israel Bond drive.
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