Israel Seeks 10.000 U.S. Jewish Technicians, Jewish Labor Committee Delegation Says

The Israeli Government would welcome 10,000 American Jewish technicians, mechanics, engineers and agriculturists, a Jewish Labor Committee delegation which has just returned from a two-month survey of Israel and Europe reported here today at a press conference. The five-member group, headed by Adolph Held, chairman of the J.L.C., urged the extension of Marshall Plan aid to the Jewish state.

Extending the welcome to skilled American Jewish workers, Premier David Ben Gurion told the delegation that these specialists are needed to aid in the development of a sound economy in the new state. “Our greatest problem,” the Premier stated, “is to settle the barren territory as speedily as possible. For this we need large financial assistance.”

Communism has gained no foothold in Israel and never will, the delegation reported. Expressing admiration for the “know-how” of government displayed by the leaders of Israel, the delegation member asserted that the Israeli Government had performed “a terrific feat” in admitting 200,000 immigrants in one year despite the admittedly difficult economic problems facing it. The J.L.C. mission also observed that responsible leaders in Israel are showing increasing understanding of the role to be played by American Jewry in the existence and progress of the Jews of Israel.

During its tour of Western Europe, the delegation studied general conditions of Jewry there and inspected cooperatives, children’s home and cultural institutions which the Committee has built and is maintaining in those countries. Members of the group, besides Mr. Held, were: Jacob Pat, executive secretary of the Committee; Israel Feinberg, vice-president of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union; Louis Hollander, president of the New York State C.I.O. Council; and, Dr. S. Silverberg, treasurer of the Workmen’s Circle.