President Chaim Weizmann, addressing members of the United Jewish Appeal’s “crisis mission,” declared here last night that “I want to warn with all my might against the widespread impression that now that Israel is established, the responsibilities for immigration and settlement can be thrust entirely on the shoulders of the Israelis.” The American Jewish communal leaders were received by Dr. Weizmann at his office in the Weizmann Institute of Science here.
“The serious problem of absorbing an enormous immigration at this time cannot be solved without continued help from America through the U.J.A.,” the Israel President stated. He added that during the first five years of its existence, the situation of the Jewish state would be critical since “Israel is still surrounded by enemies who are still talking of a second round. I see every king and kinglet telling us what he will or will not permit us to do. We have to be prepared and the only preparation is people,” he declared.
The Israel President continued: “If we maintain immigration and settlement work, there will be no necessity for military action or defense. Our neighbors know will continue to do so. It is my opinion that any conflict that our adversaries are talking about is very far removed. When Israel is built up, it will be the gateway to the entire East–a safe, clean, civilized gate.”
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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.
