More than $12, 000, 000 have been raised thus far by the United Jewish Appeal of Greater New York towards its 1959 campaign, it was announced here last night at a UJA dinner attended by 600 leading members of New York’s Jewish community. The dinner was tendered as a farewell affair to Ambassador Abba Eban who is returning to Israel next month to enter the field of political activities there.
Addressing the audience, Mr. Eban said that the attempt by President Nasser of Egypt to establish “centralized domination” of the Middle East is doomed to failure. ” I do not doubt.” Mr. Eban stated, “that the Nasserist concept of a centralized domination in the Arab world–and beyond–will incur mounting resistance and that its failure is foredoomed. As this struggle goes on, Israel’s chief contribution to stability in the Middle East lies in the consolidation of her self. The Arab States will never make peace with a weak and fragile Israel.”
“Here,” Israel’s Ambassador continued, “the most important of our tasks lies in economic progress. By sustained effort the people of Israel, aided by friendly governments and communities throughout the world, can swiftly accomplish this task.
“One of the most memorable acts of friendship which we have encountered in the past eight years is the massive infusion of aid which the United States Government has injected into the veins and arteries of our economy, society and culture. I am hopeful that we shall reach valuable agreements for the 1960 programs. It is clear to us that the development of Israel’s economy is an objective to which the United States has already made a unique contribution and which it still desires to pursue, ” Mr. Eban stated.
Referring to the tremendous task of absorbing the mass immigration which has been pouring into his country, Mr. Eban said: “We cannot exaggerate the importance of maintaining and intensifying the efforts of the United Jewish Appeal, whose revenues are the most immediately applicable to the great human issues of our immigrant population.”
Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, ore of the principal speakers at the testimonial dinner to Ambassador Eban, drew upon her observations during recent visits to Israel and Iran in describing to the guests the humanitarian needs to be net by United Jewish Appeal agencies.
Charles Frost, a general chairman of the current New York UJA campaign, and Samuel D. Leidesdorf, treasurer, emphasized Mr. Eban’s contribution to the friendly relations now existing between Israel and the United States. Acting on behalf of Mr. Eban’s many friends and well-wishers in New York, Samuel Hausman, chairman of the board of the United Jewish Appeal of Greater New York, presented him with a moulded leather desk set.
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