Jewish leaders were warned today that lack of economic support might jeopardize Israel’s capacity to effectively absorb increased numbers of immigrants from the Soviet Union expected to arrive in Israel this year.
Sam Rothberg, general chairman of the Israel Bond Organization, said at the first day session of the four-day 1973 Israel Bond Inaugural Conference here that Israel must have increased aid through the sale of $360 million in Israel Bonds to develop its economy and provide jobs for the 70,000 immigrants expected to arrive in 1973. Rothberg said that 35-45,000 of them would be Jews from the Soviet Union.
“Any failure on our part to provide adequate funds could put an end to the exodus from the Soviet Union,” he said. He noted that last year 32,000 Russian-Jewish emigres came to Israel.
The National Campaign Executive Committee of the Israel Bond Organization has undertaken a special drive to enroll 1000 new purchasers of $25,000 or more in Israel Bonds as part of the celebration of Israel’s 25th anniversary. Premier Golda Meir of Israel, who is in Washington today for a meeting with President Nixon, will address the Inaugural Dinner here Saturday night. The dinner, to be attended by approximately 3000 Jewish leaders, will honor Rothberg. Admission is the purchase of a minimum of $2500 in Israel Bonds.
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