American Labor Convention Urges U.S. to Assure Security for Israel

The American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations, at its convention here today adopted a declaration asking the United States to use its influence in the United Nations to provide protection to Israel as a country surrounded by enemy nations.

“Shifting from appeasement of Nasser to the appeasement of King Saud hardly constitutes an adequate policy for the Middle East,” the declaration read. “There are elements in this region more vital and more combustible than oil.” The declaration then urged the United States Government:

1. To propose within the United Nations the convening of an emergency conference of all countries in the Middle East for the purpose of eliminating the disputes in this explosive area. that now threaten the peace of the entire world.

2. To seek immediate establishment by the United Nations of an initial fund of $500,000,000 to be extended for the solution of the Arab refugee problem.

3. To take immediate and positive steps in concert with the United Nations to prevent outbreaks of aggression in the Middle East and to lay the basis for peaceful relations among the countries of that area based upon the following principles: mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty; non-aggression; non-interference in internal affairs; equality in relationships with one another, and regional economic cooperation and development.

In another resolution, the AFL-CIO convention greeted the Histadrut in Israel, expressed “pride” in the friendship and support which has marked the relationship between the United States and Israel, looked forward “with confidence” to an extension and deepening of this friendship “so that Israel may continue its dynamic progress in peace and freedom,” and called upon the United States “to take all measures to ensure the economic growth and the independence of Israel.”