The influx of Jews from the Soviet Union to Israel is an “historic development as great as any military victory,” Shimon Peres, Israel’s Minister of Communications and Transportation, said last night. “This historic development,” he added, “is the product of faith and spiritual strength of the Russian Jews,” who have been “cut off from the mainstream of Judaism for nearly 50 years” and have been “under the heavy control” of an “elaborate machine system, facing endless propaganda and threats typical of a police state.”
Peres was speaking to some 300 Jewish community leaders attending the inaugural dinner of the 31st annual United Jewish Appeal campaign of Greater New York which launched its 1972 drive with an additional sum of $31.6 million. The dinner was a testimonial to Jack D. Weiler, communal leader, philanthropist and real estate investor. Weiler was presented with the Herbert H. Lehman Memorial Award for “notable humanitarian leadership” for his 25 years of service as a leader in both the New York and nationwide UJA campaigns.
Peres told the dinner guests that “there is no question of priorities when it comes to deciding which should come first with us in Israel–immigration before defense, or defense before immigration.” Judaism, he said, is based on values and virtues and not on priorities or some form of balance sheet and, he added that “the national priority” must be on both.
U.S.-ISRAEL RELATIONS DEEPER, CLOSER
Turning to Israel-Arab relations, Peres noted that “in a sea of fire and hostilities there is an island of coexistence (the administered territories).” He said that the two communities had been brought up on prejudice, suspicion and hatred. However, he added, “Since the Six-Day War, we found ourselves living under the same roof, cultivating the same land. And instead of confrontation, we discovered the potentials of a mutually respectful bordering and neighboring.”
On US-Israel relations, Peres said “I can’t remember the time when the relationship and understanding between the United States and Israel have been deeper and closer.” But, he added, Israel remains an independent state where her military strength and responsible political judgement makes her fit to enjoy the friendship of “this great country” which is willing to help other democratic states “that are willing to help themselves.”
Earlier in the afternoon at a press conference, Peres said that within 10 years Israel would have a Jewish population of between five and six million Jews. “And that will make a lot of difference in Israel’s political stance,” he stated. Commenting on the growth and problems of communication and transportation in Israel, Peres said that in June, Israel would “hook up” with an existing satellite which would permit her to receive and send worldwide television programs and phone calls.
He also said that Israel was planning to build a modern railroad transportation system to serve its needs since “our present railroads have more sentimental value than transportation value.” He said the new transit system would be built in and between the cities with the lines going underground in the cities and above ground between them. Peres also said he was “greatly impressed” with the “second generation” of young UJA leaders he met on his current UJA tour.
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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.
