Speech #860218671

In midMay 1948 when Israeli leaders proclaimed the birth of Israel and became masters of their own destiny. the portion of Palestine allotted to them by the partition plan was about 5.000 square miles. During the ensuing ArabIsraeli War of 194849. that area was augmented by about 60 percent. thus some 3.000 square miles of area was gained. With heavy investments and intensive and scientific development of the country. the enlarged Israel was able to absorb successfully more than one million Jewish immigrants. This part of Israels work. the rescuing. shipping. and settling. providing gainful employment to them. and making them productive citizens of the new state. has surpassed all expectations. and today these refugee immigrants have become its most valuable asset. They have provided the necessary labor. the leadership in peaceful and wartime industries. and also the sinews of a fighting force that is certainly the most efficient and the best balanced unit in the Middle East. In the building and recreating of the State of Israel the part played by these immigrants has been most valuable. They have worked in the construction of a fine network of roads. opening canals. and laying pipelines. both for irrigation purposes and for transporting oil. thus helping Israel to become. in a real sense. a modern and highly industrialized state. As a democratic force in the Middle East the State of Israel has indeed become a model.