Israel’s needs for maintaining its security in view of critical events throughout the world as well as in the Middle East were detailed here tonight to the 145-member United Jewish Appeal Mission by Shimon Peres, Israel’s Deputy Minister of Defense.
At the same time, the American leaders heard from Israel’s Finance Minister, Levi Eshkol, a prediction that the country’s Jewish population would rise to 3,000,000 in the next 10 years. Moshe Sharett, chairman of the Jewish Agency executive, told the American leaders about the urgent needs posed by increased immigration and the problems of immigrant absorption, while Abba Eban, Minister of Education, spoke of the necessity for greater funds to help “close the gap in education between various sections of the Israel population and the newcomers.”
Earlier in the day, the UJA group visited the Jordan-Negev Water Project, touring the Sea of Galilee and a nearby water pumping station.
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