The role of the labor movement in the development of Israel and its influence on the democratic movement in the Middle East were lauded at a meeting of the British-Asian Socialist Fellowship here yesterday. Among those who paid tribute to Israel and its institutions were Aneurin Bevan, leftwing Labor leader, who recently returned from Israel, and Kenneth Younger, Minister of State in the late Labor Government.
Mr. Bevan suggested that if British Labor leaders wanted to renew their faith in democracy and socialism they should live a few weeks in an Israeli kibbutz. Major Younger spoke of the close ties uniting Britain and Israel.
Dr. S. Levenburg, Jewish Agency representative in London, said that Israel welcomed the Fellowship as a new link with the British Labor movement, whose ideals it shared. Commenting on a speech by a Lebanese Socialist delegate to the conference, Dr. Levenberg declared there was nothing Israel would rather see in the Arab countries than the emergence of a genuine labor movement imbued with democratic ideals.
Clement R. Atlee, former Labor Prime Minister, was named president of the Fellowship, while Mr. Younger was elected chairman and Dr. Levenberg, treasurer.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
