Tribute to the “impressive program of technical assistance carried on in many parts of the world by the State of Israel” was paid here tonight by W. Averell Harriman, United States Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs, addressing the 56th annual dinner of Bnai Zion, American fraternal Zionist Organization, tonight at the New York Hilton Hotel.
The dinner, attended by more than 1,500 guests, was tendered in tribute to Israel’s Ambassador Avraham Harman, in recognition of his outstanding contributions in promoting goodwill and friendship between Israel and the United States and his distinguished record of public service for the welfare of the Jewish people. Dr. Harris J. Lovine, honorary president of the Jewish National Fund, presented a citation to Ambassador Harman certifying that a forest in his name will be planted within the American Freedom Park near Jerusalem.
“Not only have highly qualified experts been sent out by Israel to other countries, but the Israeli Labor Organization Histadrut has worked closely with Labor Union leaders,” Mr. Harriman stressed. “These efforts have been useful in offsetting Communist attempts at infiltration of free Trade Unions. The Solel Bonch Construction Company has participated in many joint projects which have developed many local skills while building essential plants and roads. Israel has responded promptly and effectively in times of natural disasters and epidemics with teams of doctors and nurses. Israel has drawn on its own special talents and experience to help other countries in national economic planning and the development of arid areas.”
New York Congressman Ogden Reid, former U. S. Ambassador to Israel, joined Under Secretary Harriman in paying tribute to Ambassador Harman. Congressman Reid also dwelt upon the recent conference of 13 Arab rulers convened by Nasser in Cairo to deal with Israel’s imminent utilization of Jordan River waters for the irrigation of the arid desert in the Negev. The speaker urged statesmanship on the part of all the Arab countries in the Middle East to further fair utilization of the Jordan River waters by all the riparians under the unified 1955 Eric Johnston Plan for the utilization of the Jordan River waters for the benefit of both Israel and the Arabs.
PRESIDENT JOHNSON LAUDS AMBASSADOR HARMAN’S ROLE IN U.S.
President Lyndon B. Johnson in a message to the dinner recalled that he himself was honored by Bnai Zion at its annual Order Day Dinner in 1961 which made possible the planting of a Lyndon B. Johnson Forest within the same Freedom Forest near Jerusalem. The President said that the linking of Ambassador Harman’s name “with the American Freedom Park will serve as a reminder of the part he has played in cementing the friendly relation and understanding that exists between our country and Israel.”
Ambassador Harman, in his address, declared that Israel’s central purpose remain what it has always been–to develop the quality of its people and the resources of its territory to ensure conditions of human freedom and self advancement.
“In the international arena, “Mr. Harman said, “Israel is deeply conscious of the growing trend towards international cooperation. The world harmony which humanity seeks will be found not in the suppression of the diversity of the human family but in the provision of the fullest degree of self expression for that diversity within the encompassing framework of international law and order. In seeking expression for its own individual personality as an independent State, Israel is thus fully aware of its responsibilities its growing international relationships are based on mutual respect and cooperation.
“In the Middle Eastern region the same principle must be applied. Conflict in that area can be avoided only through the recognition by all States in the area of each other’s integrity and independence and by a readiness to compose differences by peaceful means. Israel will always display this readiness,” Ambassador Harman assured. “We are building our future in a spirit of confidence, for we believe in the inevitability of peace in our area and throughout the world.”
President Zalman Shazar and Premier Levi Eshkol headed a list of foremost leader in Israel who cabled warm messages of tribute to Ambassador Harman and at the same time, lauded Bnai Zion’s projects in Israel. Speakers at the dinner included also Dr. Max Nussbaum, chairman of the American Zionist Council, coordinating body of all Zionist organizations in this country; Congressman Abraham J. Multer, and Norman G. Levine, president of Bnai Zion, who was toastmaster.
The proceeds of the $75 a plate dinner will go towards the Jewish National Fund and the projects of the Bnai Zion Foundation, particularly for the financing of the Diagnostic and Evaluation Center for Mentally Retarded Children in Ktar Hashwedinin Jerusalem, which has been named for the late President John F. Kennedy, it was announced by Herman Z. Quittman, executive director of Bnai Zion.
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