Becker, Israeli Labor Leader, Reports Unemployment Cut in Half Since June War

Unemployment in Israel has been cut in half since the Six-Day War last June, but it is still a serious problem which can be overcome only by increased capital investment in export industries and increased immigration of Jews to Israel, Aharon Becker, secretary general of Histadrut, said here today at the closing session of the 44th annual convention of the National Committee for Labor Israel. Mr. Becker spoke before 3,000 delegates who attended the four day conclave. Other speakers included Mrs. Golda Meir, former Foreign Minister of Israel; and American trade union leaders Louis Stulberg and Jacob S. Potofsky. Histadrut is Israel’s federation of labor.

Mr. Becker, who came to New York following a tour of five Latin American countries, said that there are about 20,000 unemployed in Israel, which is half of what it was at the beginning of last June but still too large a number. He said that an estimated $1.5 billion can be effectively invested in Israel’s economy during the next five years, of which half should come from foreign sources and the remainder from Israel’s own economy. “We are asking the trade unions of the free world to invest in our enter-prises, he declared, noting that American trade unions have indicated that they will purchase $10 million worth of Histadrut debentures that will be repaid to them with interest over a 20-year period.

Another economic expert, Shimon Alexandroni, Economic Minister of Israel, told a session of the American Histadrut Development Foundation that $8 billion had been invested in Israel since 1950, and that the country hoped to increase its gross national product at an annual rate of 8 percent.

The parley marked the opening of a drive to raise $6 million in the United States and Canada to aid Histadrut’s health, education and welfare services in Israel. At the conclusion of the convention this afternoon, a roll call of the delegates showed that, of the total 1968 goal, $1,242,000 has already been pledged.

The convention adopted a resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, citing at the same time the Bolshevik revolution of a half century ago which “brought new trials to the Jewish people.” It expressed hope for the emancipation of Soviet Jewry who are deprived of all contact with Israel and of rights for full expression of their Jewish culture and traditions.

Joseph Schlossberg was re-elected president of the National Committee for Labor Israel. Charles S. Zimmerman, was elected chairman of the Board of Directors. Louis Hollander was elected chairman of the national executive committee; William H. Sylk was chosen chairman of the American Histadrut Development Foundation; and Samuel J. Lefrak was elected chairman of the Foundation’s national advisory board.

The Foundation was established seven years ago for the purpose of mobilizing long-term commitments for the future needs of Histadrut programs. It was reported at today’s concluding convention session that nearly $10 million was subscribed. The goal for 1968 is to obtain $5 million in new commitments to the Foundation.