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Khrushchev Asked About Soviet Animosity Toward Israel

September 23, 1959
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The question of Moscow’s unfriendly attitude toward Israel was raised with Soviet Premier Khrushchev by Walter Reuther, president of the United Auto Workers during the dinner meeting held here Sunday evening by seven vice-presidents of the AFL-CIO with Mr. Khrushchev, it was revealed here today.

Mr. Reuther told the Soviet Premier: “We think that the country in the free world nearest to democratic socialism is Israel. Yet the Russian attitude toward Israel has been most unfriendly.”

Premier Khrushchev replied that the Soviet Government “has no instrument that could measure the socialism in Israel. ” He thereby tossed his head almost disdainfully.

Mr. Reuther, pursuing the question, continued: “You have not been there. I have been there and I have seen how the Histadrut, the magnificent Israeli labor movement, which owns 60 percent of the production, supports the nation and aids its progress. ” Mr. Khrushchev preferred not to continue the conversation on this subject.

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