Premier Yitzhak Rabin said last night that he did not believe that peace with Israel’s Arab neighbors was at hand and warned that the struggle could last “one, two or three generations.” Addressing a dinner at the Knesset which he gave for the 300 American Jewish leaders participating in the United Jewish Appeal’s Prime Minister’s Mission to Israel, Rabin described the Sinai interim agreement signed with Egypt just one year ago as a small step toward peace that has reduced the danger of war.
He said he was pleased that Egypt is rebuilding its towns on the Suez Canal. He said that while such activity “does not prevent war, at least it adds weight on the side against it.” He also stressed to the UJA leaders that before Israel turns to anyone for economic help, “we reduce our own standard of living and we hope you will be with us in any way you find possible.”
Pledges of contributions made at the dinner totalled over $21 million, an increase of about $5 million over the pledges made during last year’s Prime Minister’s Mission. Last night’s dinner marked the close of the Mission and the start of the UJA’s 1977 campaign. Earlier in the day the Mission members met with Defense Minister Shimon Peres. He was presented with a commemorative scroll by a UJA delegate of Philadelphia in memory of Col. Jonathan Nethanyahu who was killed during the Entebbe mission.
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