New York Meeting Endorses U.J.A. Primacy; Honors Jerusalem Mayor

Israel could achieve peace immediately with the Arab countries “if we are ready to halt the influx of Jewish immigrants, but this we would never do, “Shlomo Z. Shragai, Mayor of Jerusalem, declared here today. He spoke at a farewell public appearance before more than 5,000 people at the Manhattan Center.

The meeting unanimously ratified a joint proclamation endorsing the primacy of the U.J.A. in the ranks of philanthropic campaigning. The proclamation was signed recently by the heads of 16 national Zionist organizations. In a special resolution, the meeting termed the U.J.A. the keystone of Israel’s economic planning and urged Zionists to assume the “role of peacemakers” in support of the campaign.

At the same time, Rudolf G. Sonneborn, national chairman of the United Israel Appeal, announced that in the three weeks that Mayor Shragai had been in this country, he had been instrumental in helping to raise more than $2,000,000 for the U.J.A. In a special ceremony, Mr. Sonneborn presented to Mayor Shragai a citation “for his tireless and devoted efforts in behalf of the U.J.A.,” and “in token of his courageous lifetime of service towered the fulfillment of the Zionist dream of statehood and the redemption of the Jewish people.”

Dr. Nahum Goldmann, chairman of the Jewish Agency who just returned from Israel, reported that the free gift dollar provided by the U.J.A. will for a number of years “remain the basis for Israel’s development.” He stressed that “the great test now is to have the staying power to see the state through its initial period.” Calling attention to the fact that Arab leaders are speaking about peace with Israel, Dr. Goldmann termed this “the most impressive indication that even they are beginning to be convinced that the Jewish people will have the patience and devotion to see Israel through.”