Mr. Chairman. I am opposed to the Chatham amendment to eliminate the funds for the aid of refugees in Israel. In view of the vast increase in population in the State of Israel and the enormous number of refugees who have migrated to Israel. and now are in need of shelter and other necessities of life. this fund for the aid of these refugees is urgently needed. One of the outstanding attempts to create a democratic way of life has been the struggle of the Jewish people to create anew the nation of IsraelIsrael which now offers peace and dignity to a people who were perhaps the foremost victims of the holocaust of World War II. In my opinion this authorization of funds for the aid of refugees in Israel will aid the future development of the State of Israel and will develop its strength as a nation. Israel is in a very strategic position in the Near East. and it is of mutual interest to the United States and Israel that she be kept strong. Since the State of Israel was established in 1948. 684.275 immigrants came into the country in a space of 44 months. The Jewish population of Israel has more than doubled. For the first 3 years this great migration was made possible by the contributions of Jewish communities all over the world and. to an even greater extent. by the sacrifices of the Jewish people of Israel who shared their slender resources and went deeply into debt. Many immigrants came to Israel from the displacedpersons camps of Europe where they had been maintained by the United States Government and international agencies. Upon their arrival in Israel they became the responsibility of the new State of Israel. which assumed the burden. However. early in 1951 it became evident that Israel needed additional help. The aid voted by Congress to Israel in 1951 is now being made available for food. fuel. power. irrigation. agricultural. industrial. and communications equipment. and this is helping to put the new immigrants to work and helping to care for them. In 1951. however. because of the mass exodus of the Jews from Iraq. 174.169 additional immigrants came to Israel. In view of a severe drought. shortages of essential capital goods. and the rise in world prices. the economic problems facing Israel have again become critical. Housing is urgently needed to care for these refugees. Almost 250.000 people in the State of Israel today live in villages of tents. canvaswall huts. wooden cabins. and tin shacks. Clothing is strictly rationed. Food is scarce. Work must be found for the new immigrants. but they are unable to achieve maximum production because there is a shortage of raw materials. tools. and equipment. Most of the immigrants come to Israel without assets. many are sick or disabled. I cannot too strongly urge the defeat of the Chatham amendment which would eliminate the funds for the relief of these unfortunate and suffering refugees in Israel. The State of Israel is a democracy. and a strong Israel promotes the security of our own Nation and of the free world. Because of its stratgic position in the Near East. it is my belief that the United States should render this financial aid to refugees in Israel because such aid will strengthen the economic independence of Israel and will develop its natural resources and industries.
Keywords matched
immigrants refugees