Eban: Arabs’ Hope for Israel’s Economic Collapse Has Been Denied Them

Foreign Minister Abba Eban told more than 200 Israel Bond leaders yesterday that the Arabs hope for an economic collapse of Israel to give them the victory that has been denied them on the military and political fronts. Addressing a luncheon meeting which produced a more than $3 million sale of Israel Bonds for the strengthening of Israel’s economy, Eban said:

“The Arabs know they cannot have military victory; they cannot have political victory. Therefore they are aiming for economic victory over Israel, hoping that Israel’s economy will fall beneath the sheer weight of the burdens she must carry.” He assured his audience that “all of us together have the means of winning this battle,” adding that growth is the essence of Israel and that is where “our partnership with you comes in.”