Speech #870192023

The protracted national struggle for liberation. independence. and statehood was matched by a great cultural revival and the use of Hebrew as a modern language. Throughout the centuries Jews have maintained themselves in some part of the land of Israel. in the holy cities of Jerusalem and Safad and the mountain villages of Galilee. The early generations of immigrants who came to Palestine at the start of the 20th century were overwhelmingly European. Only after the foundation of the state in 1948 did nonwestern Jews in large numbers seek a new life in the Jewish homeland. The proclamation of independence whose 14th anniversary we are celebrating today promised that "the State of Israel will be open to Jewish immigration and the ingathering of the exiles." and that promise has been faithfully observed. Indeed. one might say that immigration is Israels lifeblood. The right of every Jew to settle in Israel. one of the fundamental principles of the state. was given legal sanction in the law of the return. passed in 1940. About 1 million have come in since May 15. 1948. These included displaced persons and other refugees from east and central Europe. but also eastern Jews. including Yemenites and Moroccans. Tripolitanians and Kurds. Iraquis. Tunisians and Algerians. and Egyptians. During the early days of mass immigration. the entire Jewish community of Yemen was flown to Israel in giant transport planes. traveling. as the Yemenites said. "upon eagles wings." Since then the tide has ebbed and flowed. but averaging over 32.000 a year. Israel is still ready to take in all Jews who are allowed to leave and wish to come. Many immigrants arrived without means or skills. and the Government has spent large sums to provide housing and training for its new citizens. About half the immigrants who arrived during the creation of the state settled in towns. while some joined the rural settlements. The process of being transported from one way of life to another has naturally created social. economic. and political problems. yet Israel is successfully experiencing a process which we know well in the United Statesthe assimilation of wave after wave of new immigrants. The integration of new immigrants is only one aspect of Israels achievements during the past 14 years. Economic development is proceeding at a rapid pace. Phosphates. nitrates. and copper are being produced from ancient sources.