“Not only the American people, but the entire free world has an important stake in a politically and economically strong Israel,” Vice-President Alben W. Barkley declared tonight at the opening of the 1952 campaign of the Zionist Organization of America for State of Israel bonds at a dinner meeting at the Waldorf-Astoria.
“Israel is a sister democracy ready to stand by us as a staunch and devoted ally, ” the Vice-President said. “That is why not only the American people, but the entire free world has an important stake in the achieving of a politically and economically strong State of Israel.” Drawing a parallel between the ideals of the United States and Israel, he declared that “the people of Israel are building our kind of country.”
“We are interested in Israel,” Mr. Barkley continued, “not only from the physical and financial standpoint–as important as they are and as good as this investment in their bonds is–but our greater interest is in its spiritual resources. Our democracy, our greatness, our economic power, are all built upon the spiritual stamina and courage and determination of our people. And Israel, too, is building a nation based on the same spiritual and moral guarantees.”
Declaring that “this thriving four-year-old, the State of Israel, is a new frontier in the world struggle for freedom,” the Vice-President added that “we here in America can be proud that we are leaders of the battle to establish Israel as a strong member of the freedom-serving family of nations.” He hailed the people of Israel for their “record of sacrifice and determination,” and said “their character provides the best surety for their economic commitments.”
“They have shown the vision and courage which makes them able to enjoy freedom and liberty,” he continued. “They showed it, in the first place, in their determination to escape intolerance, to escape slavery; and they showed it in their determination to endure whatever hardships may be incumbent upon them to make Israel not only a homeland for the Jews but a free, self-governing, self-respecting nation of a self-respecting people.”
Benjamin G. Browdy, president of the Zionist Organization of America, characterize the $500,000,000 State of Israel bond drive as “a great new force for the economic upbuilding of Israel” which in the period of one year “has already become the most important source of financial aid for the Jewish homeland.” He emphasize that the major task of American Zionists in 1952 was the fulfillment of the Z.O.A. pledge to sell a minimum of $100,000,000 in Israel bonds.
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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.
