Sixteen American mayors who arrived here yesterday for a 10-day visit in Israel met today with Jerusalem Mayor Today Kollck at City Hall. The delegation, headed by Mayor Kenneth A. Gibson of Newark, who is chairman of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, was received by Kollek and his wife. Kollek asked the Americans to sit where his own council members usually sit and said. Jokingly. “I hope this session will be easier than the usual City Council meetings.”
Kollek told the visitors about the rapid development of Jerusalem since 1967, pointing out some of the major problems in running the city. The mayors, who are here to study Israeli approaches “to various problems” asked Kollek questions regarding various aspects of Jerusalem, and then toured the city.
The 16 mayors will be in Israel as part of an exchange program between the two countries. The trip, sponsored by the Israel government and the Union of Local Authorities in Israel, includes visits to Tel Aviv, Massada, Ashdod, Nazareth and the Golan Heights. The mayors will also meet with top Israeli officials.
The delegation includes Mayor Abraham Beame of New York and the mayors of New Orleans and Las Vegas. Beame seemed very much at home upon arrival and jokingly told reporters that although New York is in a financial bind he will not ask Israel for aid. He added that while Israel is a young nation there is much to learn from it regarding local administration and services. (By Tuvia Mendelson)
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