Large-scale immigration is increasing Israel’s population and is bringing nearer “normal security relationship” between Israel and the Arab countries, Shimon Peres, director general of Israel’s Defense Ministry said at a public meeting here last night.
“If the Arab countries continue to threaten us, we will be able to threaten them as effectively; if they refuse to recognize our borders, we will refuse to recognize their borders,” he stated.
Since the Sinai campaign, the position of Israel vis-a-vis the Arabs had changed from one in which the Arab states had the initiative to one in which either Israel or the Arabs had it, he said. When Israel is able to muster a great enough army, Mr. Peres continued, the situation will again change, with the initiative coming completely to Israel.
Speaking earlier at a symposium of top-ranking scientists at the Weizmann Institute of Science at Rehovot, Mr. Peres stressed that Israel needs more application of its scientists to the practical aspects of science in order to prepare industry and agriculture for the absorption of the huge immigration wave now beginning to reach the shores of the country. He placed emphasis on “practical science” as against pure science, and urged the scientists to draft a plan to use scientific knowledge for the improvement of the nations living standard.
ISRAEL GOVT, CHARGED BY SCIENTIST WITH “NEGLECTING ATOMIC RESEARCH
Dr. Amos De Shalit, head of the department of nuclear research at Weizmann Institute challenged the government’s attitude toward the scientific community. He said the government had failed to make use of Israel’s scientific capabilities and had not helped extend this scientific potential.
Specifically, Prof. De Shalit blamed the government for “neglecting” atomic research and for failing to enforce cooperation among the three leading institutions engaged in nuclear research–the Weizmann Institute, Haifa Technion and Hebrew University. Instead, he continued, the government set up a “fourth institute” devoted to atomic research.
Prof. Joel Rakach, a member of the Atomic Energy Commission, supported Dr. De Shalit’s views, claiming that much energy and skill devoted to nuclear studies was wasted by duplication among the various institutions. The work done by the “fourth institute, ” he insisted, could have been accomplished by the previously existing institutions. Moreover, he added, the work of the so called fourth institute was “sealed” from scientists; there was some contact on the “top level” between department heads but no cooperation among research workers. Finally, Dr. Rakach called for speeding up the work of the Atomic Energy Commission.
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.
