Israel Premier Leaves U.s.; Appreciates Goodwill Evidenced at Washington Parleys

Completing his three-week visit to the United States, Premier David Ben Gurion left today for Israel satisfied with the initial results of the Israeli bond sales campaign which he launched here. A total of $55,000,000 has been subscribed since its inauguration early this month, it was announced on the eve of Mr. Ben Gurion’s departure.

The Israeli Prime Minister and his wife sailed this afternoon on the S.S. Queen May for France where they will continue their voyage to Israel by plane. During his stay in the United States, Mr. Ben Gurion addressed public meetings in 12 cities where he was given impressive receptions by the local municipalities.

At a press conference held this morning, prior to his sailing, the Israeli Prime Minister said he was returning to Israel “profoundly moved” by the warmth and cordiality he experienced. “In Washington I twice had the opportunity of meeting with President Truman and of learning at first-hand of his deep personal interest in the welfare and development of Israel,” he stated. “I appreciate deeply, too, the goodwill evidenced at meetings with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense and the President’s Special Advisor on Foreign Affairs.” He was particularly grateful for “a most interesting and instructive visit” to the Tennessee Valley Authority arranged for him by the State Department.

Declaring that it was the launching of the $500,000,000 bond issue that formed the major part of his visit to the United States, Mr. Ben Gurion said: “The response thus far has been highly encouraging and I know that America’s recognition of what we are trying to do in Israel will find its answer in a full subscription to the loan. Our need today is agricultural and industrial machinery, irrigation equipment, building and raw materials which we hope we will be able to purchase through the proceeds of this loan.”

FOUND AMERICAN JEWISH COMMUNITY “ALIVE TO ITS ROLE” IN AIDING ISRAEL

Replying to questions from correspondents, Mr. Ben Gurion said that he believes in prospects for peace with the Arab countries. “The peace may not come soon, but we are ready any time,” he declared. The Arab rulers, he added, will be amenable to peace with Israel when they realize that the Jewish state is becoming economically stronger every day.

The Israeli Premier lauded American Jewry and stated that he had found the American Jewish community “alive to its role in helping the upbuilding of Israel.” He emphasized that the United Jewish Appeal is as important to Israel as the sale of Israeli bonds in America. He urged the American Zionist movement to organize the Jews in the United States not only for economic aid to Israel, but also for sending Chalutzim and promoting the Hebrew language in this country.

Asked about his talks with President Truman and with high officials in Washington, Mr. Ben Gurion refused to reveal the nature of the meetings. However, he said that he is leaving the United States under the impression that people who make policy in Washington are realizing more and more the role which Israel can play in the Middle East in helping to maintain world peace.

At a farewell dinner given last night to Mr. Ben Gurion by the American Financial and Development Corporation for Israel, which is conducting the Israeli bond sale, the Premier of the Jewish State said: “The people of the State of Israel guarantee that the bonds will be fully repaid because the Jews of Israel have the capacity to work and to create, because they have courage, a pioneering spirit and the will to succeed.” Henry Morgenthau, Jr., chairman of the Board of Governors of the bond drive, paid tribute to the Prime Minister of Israel for “the inspiration he brought to American Jews in this new venture for the economic consolidation of Israel.”

BEN GURION CALLS FOR WIDEST SUPPORT OF BOND DRIVE AND UNITED JEWISH APPEAL

In a farewell statement to the Jews of the United States, Mr. Ben Gurion emphasized the importance of the State of Israel Bond Issue and the United Jewish Appeal for the future economic development of the new democracy and for the immigration and settlement of largo numbers of Jews from lands of oppression. “I feel confident that the true friends of Israel will give their wholehearted support to both the United Jewish Appeal and to the Bond Issue, recognizing that both are phases of the same essential objective,” the Prime Minister said.

Mr. Ben Gurion paid tribute to the leaders of the United Jewish Appeal and the Israel bond drive, adding that he was greatly encouraged by the results which both have achieved thus far. He said that while the United Jewish Appeal was essential for the support of immigration and the initial care of the newcomers, the $500,000,000 Israel Bond Issue was vital to help Israel achieve economic independence.

At a meeting which Mr. Ben Gurion had with representatives of Jewish religious groups in the United States, he emphasized that Israel will never become a theocratic state. The Israel Government, he said, will encourage the teaching of religion, but will not grant to the Mizrachi or Agudas Israel the right to conduct all the schools available to new immigrants.

A statement issued later by Dr. Pinkhos Churgin, president of the Mizrachi Organization of America, said that “there is no religious group in the United States or in Israel that has not rejected in toto any idea of a theocratic state.” The very notion of a theocracy is as foreign to the Jewish spirit and Jewish history as all dictatorships, he declared.