The inaugural convention of the merged American labor movement heard a graphic description last night of the difficulties which Israel is facing as a result of the Czech-Egyptian arms deal and the tense situation created by the Kremlin’s arming of the Arab countries.
The picture was presented to the convention of the American Federation of Labor–Congress of Industrial Organizations by Rabbi Israel Goldstein. In his address at the convention he emphasized that the Jewish State, which had given refuge to so many of the remnants of Europe’s Jewish communities, was a bastion of democracy in the Middle East, and condemned the Communist arms shipments to Egypt in strong terms. He also paid tribute to the strong support which American labor had granted in the establishment and support of Israel, and noted especially the sympathetic view which George Meany, president of the new labor organization, and Walter Reuther, former president of the CIO, have taken of the Jewish State’s problems and aspirations.
Earlier, Mr. Reuther’s report on his recent visit to Israel was distributed to the delegates. The report contained a plea for efforts by the United States to assure Israel’s security. Included among guests at the convention representing foreign labor movements was Mordecai Namir, general secretary of the Histadrut, Israel’s labor federation.
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