Israeli Premier Golda Meir expressed the hope last night that “a real peace, a lasting peace” will come to the Middle East so that Israeli and Arab children “will have a better world.” Addressing a United Jewish Appeal fund dinner at the New York Hilton, Mrs. Meir told the 3000 guests that she hoped the Arabs will understand they cannot destroy Israel, even though they commit sporadic murder, and hoped that they will understand they are only destroying themselves.
“I’m suggesting to our neighbors that when Jews say they believe peace will come and must come, believe them.” Despite everything that has happened in the past, despite the destruction of lives. “lives that are very dear ones,” Mrs. Meir said, “we once again offer our hand” to Israel’s neighbors for peace.
The dinner event, part of the UJA’s fund-raising drive to raise $505 million this year, was marked by tight security as American and Israeli security agents were stationed at all exits and throughout the ballroom. Outside the hotel some 100 left-wing demonstrators stood behind police barriers shouting “stop Israeli terror.” They were protesting the downing of a Libyan commercial airliner by Israel two weeks ago and Israel’s policies in the administered territories.
Paul Zuckerman, general chairman of the national UJA, announced that the fund-raising campaign had already reached $151 million–the highest amount ever reached this early in the campaign, “Early reports from communities across the country.” he noted, indicate an increase in gifts over this same time in 1972.” Zuckerman said that all these reports would indicate that the 1973 campaign for the UJA and the Israel Emergency Fund will surpass its record-breaking fund-raising effort for 1972.
“I BELIEVE” IS POWER OF ISRAEL, JEWISH PEOPLE
Mrs. Meir, appearing rested and vigorous after her hectic activities since her arrival last week in Washington, joined the 3000 dinner guests in singing “Ani Mamin” (I Believe). The Israeli Premier recalled afterwards that the same song was sung by the rabbis as they accompanied children to the gas chambers during World War II.
Reviewing the 25 years of Israel, she said that the Jewish State was still beleaguered and still in trouble. “Our neighbors hope, hope, to throw us out, but they don’t really believe it,” Israel, she added, had fought three wars, but they were not fought for territories nor to gain at the expense of the Arabs.
Referring to the situation of the Jews in the Soviet Union, Mrs. Meir said that this powerful government used all “its means” to force the Jewish people not to believe, but the Soviet Jews “re- fused to give in.” Some, she noted, even hid their Jewishness from their children, but went on saying “I believe.”
Mrs. Meir said that some people believe that Jews could remain Jews only so long as they are oppressed and tortured by others, but the example of the American Jews proved them wrong. Israel without American Jews, she said, has no meaning, and American Jews without Israel have no meaning.
Earlier in her busy day, Mrs. Meir met for 30 minutes with Mayor John V. Lindsay. He said after the meeting that the session had been very gratifying, and that they had discussed Israel’s 25th anniversary celebrations which are planned in New York, among other cities throughout the country. David Rivlin, Israeli Consul General in New York, one of the Israeli diplomats who attended the Meir-Lindsay session, said afterwards that the Premier had expressed horror ever the slaying of two American diplomats and a Belgian envoy in Khartoum.
Later in the day, Mrs. Meir met with Rep. Ogden Reid (D.NY), a former U.S. ambassador to Israel, and with Canadian Jewish leaders. This afternoon she flew to Brandeis University to receive an honorary degree and this evening will speak at the Felt Forum at a meeting sponsored by the New York Committee for Israel’s 25th Anniversary. On Thursday she is scheduled to receive an honorary degree at Yeshiva University and will address the Council on Foreign Relations
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