Histadrut, World Jewish Congress Express Solidarity with Czechs

Israel’s labor movement expressed today its solidarity with the people of Soviet-occupied Czechoslovakia. Aharon Becker, secretary general of the Histadrut, Israel’s labor federation, sent a plea to the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions to “alarm and arouse the free labor movement and world public opinion” for the return of freedom to Czechoslovakia. The World Jewish Congress made a similar appeal for Czech independence.

Mr. Becker’s message, which carried the endorsement of the Histadrut Executive Committee, was one of numerous expressions of sympathy for the Czech people, and abhorence of the Soviet act, to come from Jewish leaders. Dr. Nahum Goldmann, speaking for the World Jewish Congress of which he is president, issued a statement “to the people of Czechoslovakia” informing them of “the sense of shock and profound sympathy felt by Jews at the tragedy which once again has befallen their country.” The WJC message recalled the suffering of the Czechoslovakian people under the Nazi occupation and said, in that connection, “the Jewish people note with particular indignation the employment of East German troops among the present invaders of Czechoslovakia.”

Mr. Becker’s message also appealed to “the peoples of the Soviet Union and their workers to extend their hands to a policy of sincere coexistence that will ensure peace, independence and prosperity to humanity.”