Recommendations urging the American labor movement to aid the Histadrut in Israel and to help make the Jewish state “a bastion of democracy” in the Middle East were made here today by a three-man delegation of the Congress of Industrial Organizations at a luncheon at the Hotel Willard at which they reported on their recent visit to Israel.
The delegation included Jacob Potofsky, president of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America; Joseph Curran, president of the National Maritime Union; and Maxwell Brandwen, counsel for the Amalgamated Clothing Workers. Emplashzing that the C.I.O. “can and should exert its influence, both in the United States and in the world labor movement, to help the cause of Israel and Histadrut,” the delegation recommended:
1. The formation of a C.I.O. Israel-American Committee to provide a channel for future fraternal relations between the two labor groups. It was pointed out that the C.I.O., as well as the American Federation of Labor and the Railroad Brotherhoods, have in the past supported all measures “to make Israel a powerful force for progress” throughout the world, particularly in the Middle East.
2. Support by the C.I.O. of further substantial loans by the U.S. Government to Israel because “additional U.S. Government loans will be an investment that is sound both in terms of economics and of international good will.”
3. Encouragement of contributions to American organizations raising funds to help the people of Israel and also encouragement of large-scale private investment in Israel economic projects.
Likening the pioneering efforts of the Israel workers with those of the members of the C.I.O., Mr. Potofsky declared: “Our heritage thus has much in common. Our goals of a better life are much the same.” He added that the “bonds of friendship and of closes association in the democratic cause will be strengthened with each passing year by the citizens of Israel and America.”
In a statement issued at the luncheon, C.I.O. president Philip Murray endorsed the delegation’s report and announced that he is directing it to the attention of all C.I.O. members. He added: “members of the C.I.O. have watched with deep interest the heroic efforts of the Jewish people to gain their independence and to establish a new democratic state in Israel.”
Israel Ambassador Eliahu Elath, who attended the luncheon, told the C.I.O. leaders that he is “very proud” of the C.I.O. report praising Israel and the Histadrut. The Ambassador commented on the significance of the report and said he wanted to express the thanks of both the Government of Israel and the Histadrut to the C.I.O.
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