Jewish Agency Budget Increased from $390 Million to $450 Million

The Jewish Agency’s budget will be 10 percent higher in 1981 than this year, Agency Treasurer Akivo Lewinsky announced here. He said the increase from $390 million to $450 million was based on a projected 10 percent increase in income from the United Jewish Appeal, amounting to $45 million, which he called “a considerable addition.”

Lewinsky said at a press conference that the Jewish Agency was making every effort to cope with economic difficulties and inflation. It has eliminated 500 jobs out of 4500 and undertaken other saving schemes which made possible the allocation of some $4 million for the development of outpost settlements in Galilee, Lewinsky said. An additional $6 million has been budgeted for development of the “Shalom region” where 7-8 settlements will be built to replace settlements in the Yamit region of northern Sinai which must be evacuated by the end of next year.

Lewinsky reported that only $20 million of the $80 million Project Renewal budget was spent this year. But next year, allocations will be targeted on some 2500 specific reconstruction projects that have been approved. The Jewish Agency allocated about $105 million this year for the absorption of new immigrants while the government supplied $15 million for that purpose, Lewinsky said. He noted that an agreement has been reached with the government whereby the Jewish Agency henceforth will finance only the early stages of absorption and the rest will be covered by the government. He said this plan would allow further cuts in the Agency’s budget and avoid duplication.