Premter Golda Meir of Israel stressed her country’s self-reliance in a 35-minute speech before an audience of 5000 people at Madison Square Garden’s Felt Forum last night. The rally was sponsored by the New York Committee for Israel’s 25th Anniversary Celebration. She was given prolonged standing ovations before and after she spoke. Mrs. Meir was welcomed by Mayor John V. Lindsay who described her as “a woman whose life is a challenge to the conscience of our time.”
The Premier declared: “We are told that we should be more dependent upon the family of nations….We say that we cannot depend on anyone else in the world except ourselves. We are extremely happy that we have never gone to any of our friends, not even to this country, and asked for the help of one single soldier.”
Continuing, Mrs. Meir stated that the blood skilled in defense of Israel has been the blood of Israelis. The Israeli leader said Israel wanted “peace above all, but not peace at any price.” She said Israel wanted agreed borders, but borders that are defensible and that would deter a future aggressor.
The rousing reception given Mrs. Meir came as her visit to this country neared its end. She leaves Thursday after a week-long series of meetings with President Nixon, top U.S. officials and Jewish leaders. Earlier yesterday she was at Brandeis University to receive an honorary doctor of law degree. (See separate story P.3.) Today the Premier met with the world renowned violinist Isaac Stern. Tomorrow she is scheduled to meet with N.Y. Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller.
In introducing Mrs. Meir to the Felt Forum audience, Abraham Feinberg, chairman of the 25th Anniversary Celebration Committee, declared: “Israel’s anniversary belongs to every American who cherishes freedom and human dignity. Tonight we are proud to be able to express our admiration and love for the people of Israel and for a great leader and a great lady.” Jacob Stein, chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, told the gathering that Americans of every faith will join in community-sponsored celebrations of Israel’s 25th anniversary in “more than 300 cities across the nation” on and around May 6-7. He declared: “Americans everywhere see in Israel a fresh expression of the ideals of liberty and justice that have supplied much of the motive power for this country’s progress.”
Lindsay, who welcomed Mrs. Meir on behalf of New York City, declared that the city is strongly supporting a six-week celebration of Israel’s 25th anniversary, to be carried out by the New York Committee for Israel’s 25th Anniversary Celebration.
The six-week anniversary period will begin April 30, with ceremonies at City Hall, and culminate with a Salute to Israel Parade on Fifth Avenue, June 10. It will feature displays in museums, department stores, and major city libraries, along with block parties and a special Israel Sabbath in the city’s synagogues.
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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.
