Israel’s achievement during the four years of its existence, as well as the difficulties still faced by the young Jewish state, were outlined here today by Premier David Ben Gurion in an Independence Day broadcast to the nation. He lauded American Jewry for its enthusiastic eagerness to give all possible aid to Israel.
“Throughout the four years since the establishment of Israel, “Mr. Ben Gurion said, “our country has been fighting on four fronts–security, international, political and immigration and settlement. At the end of this period, Israel still finds itself in the midst of great and serious problems, both external and internal, and the road ahead is still hard. However, it is doubtful whether any other state today, or indeed in any period, succeeded in registering such impressive achievements and carried out such significant projects in the face of such difficulties in so short a time.
“On the security front,” the Premier continued, “our neighbors still refuse to make peace with us. But the constant strengthening of the Army of Israel both in size and in power has planted in the hearts of our neighbors a healthy respect toward Israel and we are now regarded as one of the leading military powers in the whole Middle East. But we must not weaken ourselves by the illusion that the dangers have passed. As always, we must continue to pay special attention to our military preparedness just as we pursue the goal of peace in the world and in our area.
“On the international front, we emerged from tough political struggles during the past four years with the achievement of a respectable place in the family of friendly nations. The voice of Israel is listened to with respect in the United Nations Assembly,” Mr. Ben Gurion emphasized.
EXPLAINS THE “AUSTERITY REGIME” AND THE NEW ECONOMIC POLICY
Turning to the internal situation, the Israel Premier said that the difficulties and dangers which beset the country “were no less than expected,” but the conquests and achievements also did not fall below expectations. He pointed out that the rapid increase of population in the Jewish State in so short a time has no parallel in history. He stressed the fact that the vast majority of the immigrants arrived without means while the young state, still at war, lacked capital, food, houses, services and raw material to feed and shelter them.
“On this fourth front–the front of settlement–Israel is rightly proud of its achievements,” Mr. Ben Gurion declared. Reviewing the expansion in agriculture, industry, building, transportation, and in the establishment of hundreds of new settlements in all parts of the country, he said: “Actually more settlements were established during the last four years than during the previous 70 years.”
The Premier also touched on the “austerity regime” in Israel and on the new economic policy introduced recently by the government. These measures, he said were necessary in order to bring in more immigrants and to guarantee the security of the state. He also spoke of the financial difficulties, the adverse trade balance, the shortage in housing and in urgent necessities, and warned that the population of Israel must continue to make the maximum demands upon itself. “All our achievements will be nullified if we do not find the means to guarantee continued absorption of immigration and construction and defense,” he stated.
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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.
