The Histadrut Executive, by unanimous approval, set Sept. 11 as the date for the next Histadrut elections in which 1.1 million members of the trade union federation are eligible to vote. The decision, taken Sunday after a week-long debate, represented a victory of Histadrut Secretary General Yitzhak Ben Aharon over elements that wanted the elections postponed until the end of this year or early next year to avoid a conflict with the national and municipal election campaigns this fall. Histadrut by-laws call for elections every four years.
Ben Aharon emphasized that the Histadrut election campaign would not stop him from criticizing the government’s economic and foreign policies. He has been one of the most outspoken critics of the government’s wage and price policies which, he charged recently, further the interests of the rich at the expense of the poor. He also suggested recently that Israel should relinquish part of the administered territories in the interest of peace. Labor Party Secretary Aharon Yadlin warned Ben Aharon last Sunday that he is mistaken if he believes he can carry the Histadrut elections while embroiled in arguments with the government.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
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.
