Mayor Edward Koch and Mayor Baruch Venger of Karmiel in the lower Galilee met for 45 minutes several days ago and discussed the problems and developments of each of their cities.
Koch also inquired about the prospects of improving Israel’s economic situation and expressed particular interest in Venger’s life story as a survivor of a Nazi concentration camp, his flight to Palestine, his attempt to land in Palestine “illegally” and his internment by the British in Cyprus. Koch told Dr. Mordecai Hacohen, first vice president of Bank Leumi Trust Company of New York, who introduced Venger to Koch, that he was deeply moved by Venger’s story.
During their meeting, Venger presented Koch with a plaque, an honorary citizenship in Karmiel and books about his town. Koch responded with an inscribed copy of his book and a tie of the city.
Karmiel is a city of 20,000 inhabitants, mostly scientists and engineers from 36 countries. It was founded in 1964 and houses within its futuristic “Region 2000” some of the most sophisticated high technology industry and research centers in Israel.
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.