Both Israel and the Arab states need peaceful’ co-existence for their mutual development, Israel Consul General Simcha Pratt told the Chamber of Commerce here. He spoke on the same subject at a convocation of the University of Bridgeport.
“We will work at it, “he said, “and we have every reason to believe that our neighbors will benefit with us from a fruitful cooperation that will insure not just the Middle East, but the world in general.”
Mr. Pratt said that despite Israel’s many advances in many areas, the greatest disappointment is that no peaceful agreements with its neighbors have been achieved. “We are no nearer to that than we were in 1948, “the Israeli diplomat asserted. He added, however, that “Israel’s borders are now in a state of relative quiet and if that continues, we can look for peace.”
Commenting on Israel’s economic status, Mr. Pratt reported that 70 percent of the food required by Israel is raised within the nation, and last year exported $50, 000, 000 worth of citrus fruits. Today, he said, Israeli industries are turning out 1,500 manufactured products. He also reported that Israel imports $80 to $90 million worth of American made goods every year.
In comparing American and Israeli educational systems, he stated that the Israeli system was patterned more after the European system, with less emphasis on recreation.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
