A proposal that the four big world powers–the United States, Britain, France and the Soviet Union — combine to guarantee the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of the nations in the Middle East was voiced here today by Abba Eban, Israel’s Deputy Prime Minister. He said that, as matters stand in this region now, the inauguration of a four-power doctrine in the Middle East is needed to ensure Israel’s continued existence. A tripartite declaration guaranteeing Israeli-Arab borders is in effect now, encompassing the U.S.A., France and Britain, but not the USSR.
Mr. Eban voiced his proposal as one of the principal speakers at the tenth national convention of Histadrut, the Israel federation of labor, which is being attended by 801 delegates from the entire country; Other addresses were delivered by President Zalman Shazar, who was one of the founders of Histadrut in 1920, and Aharon Becker, secretary-general of Histadrut. A message from Prime Minister Levi Eshkol was read.
“The balance of power in the world now is such,” Mr. Eban said, “that the major powers will not permit changes in the existing frontiers. The Arab countries have been unable to unite for the kind of sustained effort that would be required in a war with Israel. World opinion is against the solution of problems by war.” He urged the Arab states to make peace with Israel and to work with Israel “for the good of the entire area.”
ESHKOL SAYS ISRAEL WILL HAVE TO REEXAMINE ITS ECONOMIC PRACTICES
Mr. Eshkol, who is still confined to his home with influenza, sent a message to the convention. Stressing that the private and the national sectors of Histadrut “are essential to the national economy,” he declared: “During the coming years, we shall have to reexamine thoroughly our economic practices all along the line. It is a matter of life and death for us to increase productivity and output, and to establish the fact that each of us owes an honest and proper day’s work for his wages.”
In his address, Mr. Becker stated that Histadrut should not relinquish any more of its function to the State. Histadrut’s independence of action, he affirmed, “is an axiom that requires neither discussion nor dispute.” He appealed to all friendly labor organizations to use their influence to bring about peaceful coexistence and peace in the Middle East.
During the convention’s opening ceremonies, 122 delegates representing Herut and the Liberal Party walked out demonstratively when the orchestra played the “Internationale,” the anthem of international Socialism.
The convention, being held at Mann Auditorium here, opened with a flourish as President Shazar entered to greet the assemblage. Diplomats from both Eastern and Western countries were present as guests. Also attending was Denmark’s Foreign Minister Per Haekkerup, who is currently visiting Israel. Mr. Shazar told the convention that he brought “the blessings of the State to the greatest organized force in the country, the backbone of the nation.”
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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.
