Herut Re-elects Beigin As Leader; Formulates Party Policy

The Herut national convention closed here this week-end after re-electing Menahem Beigin to head the party and adopting a number of resolutions on domestic and foreign problems, including one calling for an end to the Israel Government’s present economic policy which the rightists claim “has choked off” immigration to the Jewish State.

The conference also appealed for an end to the persecution of Zionists in the Communist states of East Europe and decided to initiate a worldwide campaign to obtain the release and emigration of Zionists held in the Communist states. It was decided to undertake an intensified campaign against the Israel Communist Party which was dubbed an “agent of foreign interests. “

Noting that Israel’s political situation is difficult, the delegates called for Jews from abroad, especially the youth, to immigrate to Israel and help defend its security. The rightist party also called for an intensified revival of the world Zionist movement.

Asserting that the armistice agreements between Israel and the various Arab states had not contributed to peace, the Herut convention urged Israel to denounce the pacts and call for the withdrawal of the United Nations truce observation staff. It demanded that the government resume work on the Jordan River hydroelectric project to which Syria has objected and to take action to end Egypt’s blockade of the port of Eilath.

The delegates opposed the rearming of Germany and the arming of the Arab states on the “pretext” that they would fight Communism. The United States was warned of the dangers of such a policy, and the delegates decided to send a mission to the U.S. to arouse American public opinion against this policy.