Prime Minister John Diefenbaker today praised Canadian Jews for their “magnificent contribution to good citizenship in Canada.” Addressing the 34th national convention of the Zionist Organization of Canada, the Prime Minister also said that “Zionism has made for good citizenship in Canada.”
Mr. Diefenbaker told the convention that he was tremendously impressed with Israel’s accomplishments. “What Israel has achieved with inspiration, immigration and irrigation, I would like to see accomplished in Canada,” he declared.
Recalling a visit to Israel as a guest of the Hebrew University, the Prime Minister spoke of seeing Premier David Ben Gurion “wearing the humble garb of a shepherd” in his Negev home, of the accomplishments of the Weizmann Institute of Science, Hebrew. University and other educational institutions, and of seeing the miracle of the conversion of the Huleh region from a swamp into farm land.
He noted the advanced nuclear, medical and agricultural research programs at the Israeli scientific centers, and emphasized that the people of Israel were dedicated to the principles of freedom. “It is a great achievement to bring together thousands of immigrants of many origins in a common idealism for progress,” he said.
In a resolution adopted by the delegates tonight, the ZOC decided to establish a department of migration, tourism and investment. Rabbi Charles Bender, head of the Jewish National Fund in Canada reported an increase of 20 percent in revenues–amounting to $850,000 since the last ZOC convention two years ago.
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