Jewish Agency Leader Stresses Need for Increased U. J. A. Aid

The hope that American Jews will increase their contributions to the United Jewish Appeal was expressed here today by Dr. Giora Josephtal, Jewish Agency treasurer, reporting on budgetary matters to the plenary session of the Agency.

Dr. Josephtal said that the budget for the current year was not balanced due to the need to bring 30,000 new immigrants from North Africa. He emphasized that more funds will be needed from the United Jewish Appeal to meet the sew situation.

Reporting on the absorption of the new immigrants, Dr. Josephtal said that about 67 percent of them went to settlements. This, he stressed, is a figure which has no precedent in any previous immigration. He attributed it to the fact that the immigrants now find prepared homes in the settlements, and added that the Jewish Agency’s “know-how” has played an important part in the new development.

Zvi Lurie, member of the Agency executive, reported to the session on immigration from the United States. He said that this immigration must increase and urged the introduction of better absorption techniques for immigrants from the United States. He also stressed the need for intensifying the Hechalutz movement and suggested that small investors be encouraged to come to Israel from the United States.

A report on the colonization of new immigrants was presented by Levi Eshkol, Israel’s finance Minister, He said that at least half of the new immigrants must be settled on land if Israel wants to have 25 percent of its entire population engaged in agriculture. The settling of so many immigrants would, however, cost about 10,000,000 pounds, he noted.

Dr. Abraham Granot, world head of the Jewish National Fund, laid before today’s session a plan for the creation of a joint Israel Government-JNF authority to set land policy in the Jewish State. The plan calls for the creation of a public body, with equal representation from the government and the JNF, to formulate public policy dealing with land use and amelioration, undertake reclamation, afforestation and swamp drainage projects and the leasing of land of settlers.

It is proposed that the authority be financed by funds from three sources: JNF income for contributions to it; annual contributions from the Zionist organization, and rents from JNF-owned lands. In the event this plan is accepted, it is proposed that the JNF continue its independent existence as a national institution, both here and abroad, remain an integral part of the World Zionist Organization and continue its fund-raising activities.

Following a discussion of the plan, the session decided to raise Dr. Granott’s suggestions with members of the Israel Government. A Jewish Agency committee will be named, in which the Jewish National Fund will be included, to discuss problems connected with the establishment of the proposed new authority. Afterwards, the plenary session of the Agency executive will again discuss that plan in the light of the committee’s deliberations.