Preparations of plans for the evacuation from Israel to overseas countries of all children under the age of 15, in the event of the outbreak of World War III, was urged today by Menahem Beigin, leader of the Herut Party. He spokes at the opening session of the convention of the Party which is being attended by more than 200 delegates.
Expressing the opinion that a third World War is unavoidable, he said that “with an appropriate military policy” Israel can raise 10 to 15 divisions. He suggested that all children be evacuated from Israel in time of war “in order to prevent the extermination of the whole people.”
The Herut leader, who directed the extremist underground fight against the British in Palestine, prior to the establishment of Israel, urged active opposition to German rearmament. He also denounced what he called “a general sale” of military bases in Israel to foreign powers. Claiming that the Anglo-Israel agreement on oil refining puts surplus production at the disposal of a foreign power, he said that this is “equivalent to cession of a military base.”
A resolution declaring opposition to the establishment of “imperialist bases” in Israel was adopted here at a meeting of the Israel-Soviet Friendship league which was celebrating the 33rd anniversary of the Red Army. The League is sponsored by the left-wing Socialist Mapam Party and the Communist Party of Israel.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.