President Truman today expressed hope for the peace and prosperity of Israel” at a White House ceremony marking the official recognition of Eliahu Elath as Ambassador from Israel. Elath was received by the President and presented his letters of credence. The Ambassador’s remarks were made in Hebrew.
President Truman said in reply: “It is a great pleasure for me to receive from the President of Israel the letters accrediting you as the first Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Israel to the United States of America.
“It is a matter of particular satisfaction to me to witness this important further step in the strengthening and consolidation of relations between our two countries relations which have reflected the sincere interest of the government and people of the United States in the deep-rooted aspirations of your people to found an independent nation. I am gratified to receive Your Excellency’s kind remarks concerning the contribution of the American Government and people to the establishment of the state of Israel.
“I am firmly convinced of the necessity for the speedy establishment of a true and equitable peace between Israel and its neighbors and for the resolution of all problems outstanding between them, in accordance with the solemn recommendations of the United Nations with respect to Palestine. The Government of the United States is deeply desirous of assisting by all appropriate means in the fulfillment of these objectives.
“I wish to express to Your Excellency my personal pleasure that as Ambassador of Israel you will continue to represent your government in Washington. I Appreciate the wishes which you have expressed for the continued prosperity of the United States and for my personal well-being, and I should be grateful if you would convoy to your distinguished President the best wishes of the Government of the United States and its people for the peace and prosperity of Israel and for his personal happiness and welfare.”
TEXT OF ELATH’S REMARKS TO PRESIDENT TRUMAN
following is the text of Ambassador Elath’s remarks to President Truman as translated from the Hebrew:
“The President of Israel has instructed me, in presenting to you the letters credence accrediting me as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Israel to the United States of America, to convey to you his warm greetings and to express ##s sincere hope for the continued well-being and prosperity of the United States and ##s President.
“The President and people of Israel are deeply grateful for the great contribution made by the Government of the United States and its people to the establish-sent of the state of Israel.
“The noble tradition, instituted by President Woodrow Wilson and continued by all his successors, of expressing sympathy with the aims of Zionism has earned for the people of the United States and its government the undying gratitude and admiration of Israel and the Jewish people.
“The sympathy and concern shown by you, Mr. President, for the Jewish discalced persons of Europe, the constructive suggestions that you have made for their resettlement, your support of the establishment of the state of Israel, and your prompt recognition following the proclamation of Israel’s independence on May 14, 1948, will forever be recorded in the hearts of our people and preserved in the annals of our history.
“As a peace-loving nation, Israel will seek to maintain and, by her actions, to express her own moral heritage, and to make yet another contribution to civilization. It is her fervent hope that she will be allowed to do so, so that her progress day contribute to the development of the Middle East and be of benefit to the entire world.
“I deeply appreciate the honor of being the first representative of my country in the United States. It will be my constant endeavor to advance and strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation existing between Israel and this great democracy. I trust that in the discharge of this important task, Mr. President, I shall receive tour understanding and help, as well as that of your government.”
Ambassador Elath told White House correspondents after his call on the President that the gravest problem now facing his country is absorption of new immigrants. He revealed that immigration to Israel is now proceeding at the rate of “1,000 a day.”
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