The possibility of obtaining several ships from Germany under the terms of the reparations pact are being investigated, Joseph Saphir, Minister of Communications, today told a meeting of the Israel Economic Advisory Council.
In a report to the Council, the Minister stated that the Kishon project – the enlarging of the port area adjoining Haifa – provides for the establishment of a “free area” and the establishment of a “free port” at a later time. He stated that the planned consolidation of the Jaffa and Tel Aviv ports will result in a great financial saving for the government.
Mr. Saphir reported that Israel now owns 31 merchant vessels which carry a considerable portion of the passenger and cargo traffic to and from the Jewish State. He disclosed that improvements are planned on the nationalized railroad system to improve public accommodations and attract more business, particularly on the long-distance routes.
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.
