Afl-cio Council Praises Israel’s Rescue Mission, Blasts Arab Boycott

The AFL-CIO Executive Council at its quarterly meeting yesterday adopted twin statements on the subjects of terrorism and the Arab boycott, it was announced by Jacob Sheinkman, president of the Jewish Labor Committee.

Despite their preoccupation with the endorsement of a candidate for President, the Executive Council “congratulated the people of Israel for their bold initiative and commended the people of Kenya.” The statement also noted that “Israel’s courageous action demonstrates the only effective method of dealing with terrorists and putting an end to their bloody plots. The rescue is a clear example of how the free world must henceforth deal with hijackers and political blackmailers.”

The Council’s statement called upon “the nations of the free world” to “work together for effective methods of dealing with terrorism, including strong political and economic sanctions against any government which harbors, encourages or supports terrorists.”

CONGRESS, ADMINISTRATION URGED TO MOVE

In another statement, the Executive Council declared that the Arab boycott “raises issues which go far beyond those of Israel’s rights as a free nation. By imposing secondary and tertiary boycotts, the Arabs have put at issue America’s willingness to defend its own principles and sovereignty.” In demanding an end to cooperation with the Arab boycott on American soil, the Council “called upon the Congress and the Administration to move swiftly to enact legislation and to take such other measures as necessary to achieve this goal.”

Sheinkman, who is also secretary-treasurer of the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union, hailed the Executive Council statement and called for speedy enactment of the bills which would make the secondary and tertiary boycotts illegal and would deprive American companies cooperating with it of the special tax benefits given to encourage foreign trade.