Jerusalem has almost doubled its population and has become a center of modern industrial activity since the establishment of Israel, Dr. Abraham Biran, the Governor of Jerusalem, reported today at a conference at the Astor Hotel.
Dr. Biran, making his first New York appearance in a nation-wide tour of principal American cities in behalf of the Israel bond drive, said that close to 150,000 persons live in and around Jerusalem today, whereas in 1948 the population was 79,000. He credited the population increase to the development of new industries “through the aid of Israel bond proceeds” during the past two years.
Dr. Biran was the principal speaker at a presentation meeting where more than 500 Israel bond volunteers received special awards and citations for outstanding sales records achieved during the past year in support of the Greater New York Israel bond drive.
“A large portion of Jerusalem’s population find employment in the new industries that have developed there in recent years,” Dr. Biran stated. “These industries, many of which were established through the aid of Israel bond proceeds–producing such diversified items as pharmaceuticals, shoes, leather goods, jewelry, radio power transformers and glass instruments–not only make Jerusalem a hub of important manufacturing activity but provide as well many vitally-needed products for our export market,” Dr. Biran said.
“Today, more than 80 factories and workshops have been provided with up-to-date accommodations, while an estimated 30 new enterprises have been established since the liberation of Jerusalem,” he said.
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.
