14
International Cooperation Administration
Suggests Improvements in. Israel Tourism
BY MILTON FRIEDMAN
boost; 1961 is also the 13th
anniversary, or Bar Mitzvah
year, of Israel. The year 1963
WASHINGTON — The year will mark the 15th anniversary
1965 will see an Israel in which of the State. Less increase is
240,000 tourists will visit Bibli- predicted for 1964, the year of
cal sites by helicopter and the World's Fair in New York.
spend an estimated $56,000,000, By 1965, however, Israel will be
according to a forecast by a firmly established among the
United States Government tour- world's most important tourist
ism research team. nations, attracting non-Jews as
The experts, dispatched to well as Jews.
Israel by the International Co-
But Israel will have to
operation Administration, pre- offer
facilities and
dicted a sharp rise from this prices improved
competitive with other
Year's estimated 110,000 tour- modern tourist countries. Ac-
ists. Israeli tourism has be- cording to the I.C.A. report,
come big business. Only 3,700 "Israel is entering the major
tourists visited Israel in 1948. arena of world tourism" and
For 1961 and 1962, the im-
"upgrade standards" to
pact of the movie "Exodus" is must
foster good will and reap
expected to offer a. substantial economic benefits.
(Copyright, 1960, Jewish Telegraphic
Agency, Inc.)
an
rael's resort areas • •
all-year healthful dry desert
climate."
The present shortage of hotel
rooms in Tel Aviv was termed
"acute." Required at once were
1,000 additional rooms.
A recommendation was made
that at least 12 young Israelis
be sent annually on scholar-
ships to a hotel training school
in Lausanne, Switzerland. They
would return to assume execu-
tive positions in Israeli hotels
and instruct others.
According to the U.S. find-
ings, "the acute shortage of
accommodations in key tourist
centers is a severe limitation on
the continuing growth of Israel
tourism. Many potential visi-
tors are not coming to Israel
because of their inability to get
suitable places to stay; _ others
who do come are unhappy with
the accommodations they re-
ceive . . . additional accommo-
dations to relieve the current
shortages and. to provide for the
expected and potential growth
within the next two or three
years are an immediate and ur-
gent need."
Urging a Knesset subcommit-
tee to promote tourism, the
U.S. experts made sweeping
recommendations. They voiced
concern "that relatively few of
the new tourist facilities
seemed bold or imaginative in
Translation of Hebrew column.
concept, particularly adapted to
Published by Brit Ivrit Olamit.
In Jerusalem a unique exhibition is the land . . . with the exception
being held dedicated to the paintings of some features of the new
Of the Wailing 'Wall and the old city
of Jerusalem by the Jerusalem artist Holyland Hotel in Jerusalem,
Mr. Joseph Manovla.- In this exhibition the new Lydda Airport Hotel
The team decided that
which is attracting thousands of
visitors, a new technique in the art and perhaps the proposed new
hotel facilities, though need-
of painting has been revealed to the Dan Hotel in Haifa."
ed in increased number in
wider public. This technique which is
the fruit of the artist's invention is
"To compete in the tourist the Tel Aviv municipal area,
a combination of etching, . painting
should be spread throughout
and sculpture. It gives the spectator world, Israel needs hotels,
the possibility of feeling in the paint- motels, and restaurants, and
the country. Hotels were en-
ing, length, breath and depth, some-
visaged for the Negev, Ash-
thing that cannot be sensed in an tourist attractions that are ex-
ordinary painting. The artist suc- citing and unique to Israel .. .
kelon, the Galilee area, and
ceeded in executing these creations
elsewhere. This would result
on the basis of hundreds of sketches that catch and raise the spirit,"
which he has made even before the said the experts.
in a longer visit and greater
emergence of the State of Israel at a
time when it was still possible to
They reported "the beach depth of experience.
gain access to all the holy places in front of Tel Aviv, which should
Use of huge helicopters to
the old city.
Those who look at the creations of be one of Israel's major tourist
transport
tourists to the Dead
Manovla the painter, can feel that he attractions, is in distressing
Sea, Massada, and other loca-
has invested in them much love, deep
thought and great efforts. Many of condition. The entire area be-
tions was envisaged. Tourists
the members of the public communed tween the Dan Hotel and the
could fly one way and motor
with the painting of the Wailing Wall
with a feeling of• reverence and there new Sheraton Tel Aviv is occu-
the other.
were some who produced a Psalter pied by rubble and dilapidated
from their pockets and prayed in the
The team "heard criticisms to
direction of the Wailing Wall relief. buildings . . . efforts are needed
Other spectators who were reminded to improve the condition of the the effect that guides indulge
of the Wailing Wall in Arab captivity
in too much propaganda for
were moved to tears. The painting is water for bathing."
the new State. While the team
2 meters by 23".; and its weight 150
kilograms.
It was suggested that Palm itself did not experience this,
Many important personalities of the
Springs, Calif., be studied the matter wasmentioned often
community, among them the Presi-
dent of the State of Israel, Mr. Itzhak
"for ideas that could be ap- enough by tourists and agents
Ben Zvi, have suggested purchasing
plied to Beersheba's resort to warrant a word of caution!'
from the painter the gigantic paint-
ing of the Wailing Wall, on which he
development." According to s,
Israel was found "oversatur-
worked for over three years, in order
the survey, "Beersheba may
to place it in the new seat of the
ated" with domestic travel
Knesset which will be erected in the
well have the greatest long- agents with consequent low
Kirya (complex of govt. buildings) of
range potential of all of Is- earnings and poor service to
the State of Israel in Jerusalem.
travelers. The Israel govern-
ment was urged to limit travel
agents' licenses, particularly in
the Tel Aviv area.
A s t r on g recommendation
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was made for a reduction. in air
fares between European points
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and Israel.
According to the team, "the
riivps).
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conflict of interests
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ment's efforts to develop tour-
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ism on the one hand, and to
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foster the national air and sea
, rpt?trrri -rrn carriers on the other, should be
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resolved. The team found con
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siderable evidence indicating
the efforts of Israel's own
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air and sea carriers, El 'Al and
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position has at times discour-
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In general, the study lauded
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the achievements of the last
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five years in developing tour-
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ism. A potentiality for much
.tD -#2"7 1 5 0 rniypxri nx L7r-it?7?', greater growth was stressed.
Hebrew Corner
Wailing Wall
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Get German Contract
BONN, (JTA)—The West Ger-
man Defense Ministry confirmed
reports that it "may contract"
with an Israeli firm for deliv-
ery of 120,000 munitions con-
tainers.
It was disclosed that the Tel
Aviv firm answered an advertise-
ment placed by the West Ger-
man Army for such containers
and a representative of the army
opened talks with the firm in
Israel. The Ministry denied an-
other report that the army
planned to buy uniforms from the
Tel Aviv firm.
Around the frPbrld...
A
Digest of World Jewish Happenings,
from Dispatches of the Jewish Telegraphic
Agency and Other News-Gathering Media.
United States
WASHINGTON—The Arab Information Center has published
a booklet entitled "Exodus, a Distortion of Truth," in an appar-
ent effort to offset the impact of Leon Uris' best-selling novel
about Israel, and the film version which has just been released.
PHILADELPHIA—The Jewish Family Service of Philadel-
phia provided counseling services to more than 3,400 families
during 1960 — a 50 percent rise in the agency's volume of service
since ,1957.
NEW YORK—Oxford University in England will be the 235th
campus at which service to Jewish students will be rendered by
Bnai Brith Hillel Foundations, according to Dr. William Haber,
chairman of the National Hillel Commission . The Jewish
Agricultural Society has decided to expand its scholarship
program for the benefit of children of Jewish farmers in the
United States . . . More than 500 active members of Pioneer
Women paid tribute to Mrs. Bert Goldstein, wife of Rabbi Israel
Goldstein, at a farewell luncheon. The Goldsteins are leaving the
United States for permanent settlement in Israel.
Israel
TEL AVIV—Tamara Fribash, a 12-year-old Jewish girl from
Iran, is the 100,000th young immigrant to arrive in Israel under
the Youth Aliyah program . . . Establishment of a central gov-
ernment authority to handle immigration from western countries
was urged by the Council for Western Aliyah, representing set-
tlers in the British, South Africa, American- and Canadian immi-
grants' association.
JERUSALEM—The Israel Government approved the applica-
tions of more than 5,000 Christians—Catholics, Protestants, and
members of the Orthodox Church—to cross the frontier into
Jordan, to celebrate Christmas at Bethlehem . .. Hanukah was
ushered in throughout Israel with torchlight processions and out-
door ceremonies in which giant menorahs were lit . . . The threat
of a labor shortage requires efforts to bring more women into
the labor force, Minister of Labor Giore Josephthal reported
to the Knesset. Only 27 percent of Israel women over 14 are
gainfully employed, and only half of these in fulltime work . .
The 100th anniversary celebration of the birth of Henrietta
Szold, founder of Hadassah, began here with the issuance of an
Israeli postage stamp in her honor . . ..The memory of Henri
Donant, founder of the International Red Cross, was honored
by the planting of a public garden in his name. At the ceremony
the Swiss Ambassador compared the friendship of Switzerland
for Israel with a Swiss timepiece—"once activated, it is per-
petually reliable."
Europe
AMSTERDAM—The Jewish population of The Netherlands
in 1957 was 27,000—twice that of 1947. Prior to World War II
there were 140,000 Jews, a majority of whom were killed by the
Nazis.
BONN—The Ministry of Interior is drafting legislation to
abolish pension rights of all pensioners who have been convicted
of crimes against humanity as a result of activities during the
Nazi regime.
KIEL—The West German State of Schleswig-Holstein will be
the first state in the Federal Republic to complete its indemnifi-
cation payments to victims of Nazism. So far payments of over
$43,000,000 have been made.
ROME—The law of October 25, 1960 providing aid for Italian
citizens (including a number of Jews), who were repatriated
from Egypt after the 1956 Suez campaign, has become effective.
FLORENCE, Italy—A ceremony at the main synagogue com-
memorated the deportation . of 284 Jews from this city during
World War II.
Canada
OTTAWA—Prime Minister John G. Diefenbaker has been
named to receive the 1960 Canada-Israel Friendship Award given
by the State of Israel Bond Organization in Toronto.
•
Latin America
BUENOS AIRES—Joseph Avidar has become Israel's new
ambassador to Argentina, replacing Arieh Levavi, who was de-
clared unwelcome by the Argentine government because of the
seizure of Adolf Eichmann earlier this year.
Rockwell and Four Troopers Are
Acquitted in Washington Court Case
WASHINGTON, (JTA) —
George Lincoln Rockwell and
four of his Nazi troopers were
acquitted this week in District
of Columbia Municipal Court
of charges of disorderly con-
duct.
A fifth defendant, Roger C.
Foss, was found guilty and
given a choice between a $25
fine and 10 days in jail.
Judge J. L. Smith, Jr., chief
justice of the Municipal Court,
reached his verdict after hear-
ing testimony by police offi-
cers and citizens who declared
they were offended by the
abusive, anti-Semitic conduct of
the neo-Nazis.
The charges arose from pick-
eting by the Rockwell group
on Oct. 12 in front of, the
Democratic National Commit-
tee headquarters in which
troopers carried huge placards
with such statements as "Kikes
for Kennedy and Judas John-
son."
William Bachrach, the de-
fense attorney, moved for ac-
quittal and Judge Smith grant-
ed the motion on grounds that
"experienced police officerS"
at the scene did not find it
necessary to arrest the defend-
ants and therefore they could
not be found guilty of breach
of the peace.
Foss was arrested at the time
of the picketing. He was de-
scribed before the court as a
registered Communist agent.
Rockwell told reporters that
the verdict was "most re-
assuring" and "in the best
American tradition."
German Reparations
Launch Israel Ship
HAMBURG, (JTA) — One of
the largest freighters built for
Israel under the West German
reparations agreement was
launched here. The 22,000-ton
vessel was named the "Ein
Gedi."