Israel Bonds Conference Opens; 1970 Goal is to Raise $90 Million More Than in 1969

The determination to answer heightened Arab terrorism with larger economic aid to Israel and increased tourism dominated the opening session today of the International inaugural Conference for Israel Bonds. The Conference, attended by more than 2,000 delegates from Jewish communities throughout the United States and Canada, will mark the launching of the largest campaign in the history of the Israel Bond campaign with a record goal of $250,000,000. Samuel Rothberg, National Campaign Chairman, who is presiding at the Conference, emphasized that the 1970 campaign would have to raise $90 million more in this year than the $160 million in Israel Bonds that was sold in 1969.

Mrs. Itzhak Rabin, wife of the Israel Ambassador to the United States addressed the luncheon session of the National Womens’ Division which featured the world premiere of a new all-Israel Fashion Show. Mrs. Rabin declared that the people of Israel were prepared to make every possible sacrifice to achieve a just peace, but that they looked to the Jews of the rest of the world to help them maintain their economy and to absorb some 60,000 new immigrants who are expected to enter the country this year.

Louis H. Boyar, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Israel Bond Organization, declared that American Jewry will not be deterred from visiting Israel by any acts of violence and that the Israel Bond Organization was planning to arrange numerous delegations from Jewish communities as part of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Israel Bond campaign. The highlight of the Conference will be an Inaugural Dinner Saturday evening at which Deputy Prime Minister Yigal Allon will be the guest of honor. The Dinner will also be addressed by Mayor John V. Lindsay of New York.