Foreign Minister Abba Eban called today for a return of the discussion of the Middle East issues to the Middle East region and declared that the Four Power talks going on in New York have not come any closer to solution of the Arab-Israeli conflict than the year-long efforts of the United Nations’ peace envoy, Dr. Gunnar V. Jarring.
Mr. Eban spoke at the International Conference on Human Needs in Israel, attended by 204 delegates representing major fund-raising bodies in the United States and 23 other countries. He said it was Israel’s aim to instill in the Arabs both despair and hope: Despair that any outside factors would solve their problems and hope that direct talks with Israel would bring them the kind of peace they need.
Mr. Eban said Israel was not willing to forego any vital security needs for the sake of building its image abroad. He said, however, that Israel will continue to appeal to world public opinion for support. Among the weapons Israel needs, Mr. Eban said, is nerve. He warned that any declaration that the present cease-fire lines are the permanent borders Israel desires might close its options for peace. On the other hand, he said, under no circumstances will there be a return to the armistice lines of May, 1967.
The executive vice chairman of the United Jewish Appeal said today that Israel needs $350 million a year to cover the costs of immigrant absorption and related fields. According to Rabbi Herbert A. Friedman that amount was raised in the U.S. in 1967. He said the sum dropped in 1968 but increased in 1969 and he thought a further increase was possible in 1970.
Rabbi Friedman addressed the campaigns workshop at the conference. Yaacov Tsur, chairman of the Jewish National Fund, offered the services of the JNF staff to assist in fund-raising efforts in countries where fund-raising was not yet coordinated. He noted that outside of Great Britain there are no professional Jewish fund-raisers in Europe and suggested that some be sent from Israel.
The workshop on housing, chaired by New York real estate executive Jack D. Weiler, heard several proposals for financing housing for immigrants. Joseph Kanter, of Cincinnati, representing young leadership, suggested that the State and private banks form a non-profit organization to subsidize mortgages.
Gottlieb Hammer, executive vice chairman of the United Israel Appeal, proposed that apartments be built and rented out to the Jewish Agency, Inc. or to the UJA for further rental. He thought the workshop should accept the principle that housing is a long term project and funds for it cannot be taken out of the regular campaign receipts.
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.
