The citrus fruit growers strike will continue until the government gives assurances to the industry that it will receive subsidies sufficient to make up for any losses it suffers in the export market, it was decided last night at an emergency meeting of fruit growers from all parts of the country.
Meanwhile, a delegation of fruit growers met today with Premier David Ben Gurion to urge him to get the government to modify its last offer. The Premier asked for several days’ time to study the problem. In its final offer the government said it would pay subsidies amounting to 15 percent of the crop, with the possibility that additional grants would be made toward the end of the harvesting and exporting season.
Zvi Isakson, chairman of the board of the Farmers Association, asserted that the growers will lose seven to nine shillings (approximately $1.00) on each case of fruit shipped abroad. He pointed out that last year’s crop brought Israel some 7,500,000 pouds sterling–the equivalent of 72 percent of the country’s total export. He denied charges that the growers strike was motivated by political considerations.
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