Mrs. Halprin Reports on Israel; Calls for Increased Support of U. J. A.

Returning from Jerusalem where she attended the recent session of the Zionist Actions Committee, Mrs. Rose L. Halprin, acting chairman of the Jewish Agency, reported today that she had found Israel in a “quieter mood than during any of my previous visits. “She noted that “people seem to be settling down to the business of being normal citizens of a normal country. There are fewer tensions, and there is greater confidence in the political and economic stability of Israel.”

Mrs. Halprin stressed that while a large number of immigrants had been absorbed. many others were still awaiting full rehabilitation. She expressed the hope that 1960 would be a year of “extra efforts” on behalf of the United Jewish Appeal which would enable the Jewish Agency to make tangible progress in eliminating the backlog of unmet needs.

Turning to the Actions Committee sessions, Mrs Halprin declared that the meeting had achieved its aim. She noted that a revision of the constitution of the World Zionist Organization had been long overdue and that the main purpose of the Actions Committee session had been to discuss and approve the necessary changes.

The Jewish Agency leader noted with satisfaction the improved climate for private investment and recalled that, in the past, the Agency had been active in that area. “The encouragement of private investment in Israel,” she declared, “is in line with the American principle of helping to foster the development of under-developed countries through private initiative. I am happy to see that there are good prospects for continued progress in this direction.”