Premier Yitzhak Shamir, in his first public address since taking over the post from Shimon Peres Monday, told veterans of the Betar movement Tuesday that the present “satisfaction and opulence” of the world Jewish community has the “kiss of death” for the Jewish people.
He said the historic task of Israel was to encourage the mass immigration of Jews to Israel, to end or reduce the diaspora.
“We therefore have two aims — to change the atmosphere in the diaspora towards emigration and to prepare the infrastructure here to receive masses of newcomers when they arrive … we must improve the economy, strengthen the defense system, and settle the entire area of the land of Israel.” Shamir’s statement was applauded.
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