The Histadrut today called on Arab labor in the countries surrounding Israel to join the Israeli later federation in establishing a firm peace. At the same time, the closing session of the seventh convention of the Histadrut reaffirmed the full equality of Arab labor in Israel.
By a vote of 254 to 162, the body decided to send delegates to both the World Federation of Trade Unions and World Labor Federation conferences to be held in Milan and Geneva, respectively. The Mapam and Communist members of the Histadrut voted against the motion, insisting that the organization continue its affiliation with the W.F.T.U. The conference also demanded the stepping-up of large-scale absorption and housing schemes for new immigrants and provision of maximum employment — including public works if necessary — for the new arrivals.
The convention elected a governing body of 201 members, a council of 51 members and an executive committee. On the executive the Mapai has 29 seats, the Mapam has 18 and the Communists one, with several other seats for other minorities. This is the first time that the Communists gained a seat on the executive.
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