Resolutions calling for Israel-Arab peace negotiations, urging all-out efforts to arm the Jewish State in the face of aggressive threats, and pledging the full resources of the organized labor movement to support Israel’s preparedness drive, were adopted here last night at the eighth national convention of the Histadrut, Israels general federation of labor.
Israel is ready for direct peace negotiations, the 800 delegates to the convention said, but it will not agree to compromises which would infringe upon Israel’s territorial integrity or its sovereignty. The convention called on the government to “break through” the wall of embargoes and obtain the arms it needs to protect the security of the country, and urged the peace and freedom-loving peoples of the world to give Israel every assistance in obtaining defensive weapons.
The Histadrut will place its entire organization and membership at the disposal of the government for security purposes, to increase “essential” production, to settle the southern Negev, Galile and the border areas, to turn every settlement into a fortress and to bring women into defense activities, the convention resolved. It asked the government to institute a “defense tax” to finance security needs and called on Israeli youth to “conquer the desert” and take an active part in meeting security needs.
The convention promised to put Histadrut-controlled industry behind the government’s fight to hold the price line. It suggested that organized workers participate with management in the operation of industry so as to strengthen their feelings of responsibility toward industry.
Finally, the convention issued a call for an increase in immigration to Israel from abroad, especially from North Africa. A special appeal was directed at the Jewish youth of the world, who were asked to come to Israel to help defend and build the country. Jewish scientists throughout the world were asked to contribute to the strengthening of the Jewish State.
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