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--Montreal, Quebec - January 1975

--Guest Speaker: PROF. IRWIN KOTLER

----"The world sales of Israel Bonds in 1972 was 270 million dollars. In 1973, the disasterous attack on Yom Kippur Day and the ensuing war was instrumental in bringing in a record high of 502 Million.

----"The State of Israel, after evaluating its urgent requirements for reconstruction and development, deemed it necessary to set an Israel Bond goal of one billion dollars in 1974.

----"Most regretably, the Jewish people did not share Israel's anxiety or was otherwise indisposed to meet this goal; producing only 280 million dollars......Israel's needs are escalating even as our support decreases.

----"The important Phantom bomber of 1972 cost Israel six million dollars. An equivalent plane today costs Israel 12 Million. The cost of other defence needs, food, clothing and housing has risen by thirty to one hundred percent, and the 1975 dollar buys only half of what it did three years ago.

----"Golda Meir recently reminded us that Jewish people no longer have the compassion of the free nations of the world; no longer pitied."' We don't need pity, but we would appreciate "understanding"'.

----"Don't blame Israel for the Arab increase in oil prices. Oil prices would have escalated even if Israel did not exist. You must not appease one nation by sacrificing another nation. Israel will not agree to another Munich, will not agree to suicide.

----"We must be aware that Economic Survival is indispensible for Israel's survival. The 1972 deficit in balance of trade was 1.1 Billion dollars; reached 2.5 billion in 1973 and 3.5 billion in 1974.Much of this situation can be blamed on the Yom Kippur War which cost Israel in excess of 7.5 billion dollars.The defence budget of 3.5 billion dollars erodes 40% of the country's Gross National Product.

----"For 25 years, the Israel Bond program has been a decisive force in Israel's struggle to fortify its political independence.

----"Three billion Bond dollars helped build towns, industries, schools, homes and hospitals. It took 16 years to sell the first Billion, five more years to sell the seond Billion and three years for the third Billion. We must accelerate our support for the fourth and fifth Billion by having every Jewish family commit to becoming "Guardians of Israel" by making a minimum $1000 Bond purchase."

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