Sen. Neuberger Lauds Israel’s Democratic Ideals; Addresses U. J. A.

Senator Richard L. Neuberger of Oregon asserted tonight that “development of Israel opens a fertile new field for extending the sphere of influence for both democratic ideals and the benefits of Western technology” throughout the Middle East. He addressed 400 guests attending a United Jewish Appeal campaign dinner sponsored by the New York Council of the National Jewish Welfare Board at which pledges of $750,000 to the 1955 New York UJA drive were announced.

Sen. Neuberger told the guests that Israel’s progress in making Western democratic ideals work in the Middle East and bringing modern technology and living standards to that backward but crucially important area will have a powerful influence on the peoples of neighboring Arab lands. “Israel, by example, can have great influence in supplanting the archaic remnants of ancient cultures, the barriers to progress in nearby areas,” he said. “Israel’s advance should be considered as an expedition into new frontiers. As Israel enjoys new successes, its progress will stimulate the attention of neighbors. Just as a stone dropped into a quiet pool sends waves to the outermost edges, so will Israel’s efforts to provide decent living standards provoke duplicate action.”

In urging wholehearted support of the United Jewish Appeal, Sen. Neuberger compared Israel’s present position and potentialities to those of the United States in its frontier era 150 years ago. Recalling that there were many who despaired of successful development of the American frontier, he declared: “It takes men of foresight and faith to rise above false prophecies whether they concern Israel or the vast open spaces of the American West.”