Finance Minister Pinhas Sapir returned from a visit to the United States today with a report that United States officials want Israel to pay for surplus foods in dollars and to set a higher interest on loans to Israel. Up to now the payments for U.S. surplus foods were made in Israeli pounds, part of which were given back to Israel as aid for economic projects.
Reporting that Israeli-United States negotiations were still in progress on terms of Israeli purchases of surplus food, the Finance Minister said that United States officials believe Israel no longer qualifies as a “developing country” and that financial ties between the two countries should therefore be placed on a regular basis.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
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.
