The hope that the gradual relaxation of tensions in the world would result in freer contacts between Soviet Jewry and Jews in other parts of the world was expressed here by Prime Minister Moshe Sharett in an address at the current session of the Zionist Actions Committee. He also said that he hoped for the possibility of emigration to Israel of Soviet Jews who desired to come here.
Similar sentiments were expressed by Dr. Giora Josephthal, treasurer of the Jewish Agency, in the course of a budget report. He said that last year’s budget had been fulfilled in the sense that all projected revenues had come in, but increased immigration had necessitated greater expenditures. Turning to Jewish emigration from Iron Curtain countries, he said that only 84 persons had entered Israel from those countries in 1954 and while this was “still a small and disillusioning number, it represents an increase over past years.”
Berl Locker, co-chairman of the Jewish Agency, told the Actions Committee that every effort had been made by the executive to implement last year’s resolutions, in the course of a report on Agency activities for the past twelve months.
Joseph Sprinzak, Speaker of the Knesset, opening the Actions Committee session, pointed out that the Herzl Year was closing, but that a Congress Year was opening. His address was a call for a realization of “Herzlian Zionism.” He also denied allegations that Zionism had outlived its usefulness. On the contrary, Mr. Sprinzak said, it now had many important tasks to face and the Zionist Organization must stand up and face them.
Dr. Josephthal, in his budget report, stressed figures on the cost of absorption of new immigrants, pointing out that it costs 8,000 pounds for the first year of settlement of a new family on the land. It was, however, a source of great satisfaction that only two per cent of the settlers left the land, he said. He also outlined the need of the settlements for electricity, roads and telephones, and expressed hope that all this would be forthcoming in the next year, with the help of the Government.
The Jewish Agency treasurer reported that the Agency had consolidated 59 settlements during the year, and will now have to consolidate 60 more. “There is an eternal problem facing the Agency,” he said, as to “what is more important–consolidating existing settlements or founding new ones.” This problem could be solved easily if there were enough money, he declared.
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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.
