Chalutz Movement Protests ‘slander’ Stemming from Israel Spy Ring Expose

The Central Shlichim of the Chalutz Movement protested today against what it termed “vicious attacks and slanderous statements” made in Israel against the kibbutz movement following the disclosure of a Syrian-directed Arab-Jewish spy ring. The protest was contained in a cable sent to Israel Pinhasi, secretary general of the National Federation of Kibbutzim which said that the main targets of the alleged slander were the Kibbutz Artzi movement of Hashomer Hatzair and Kibbutz Gan Shmuel, the former home of one of the Jewish spy suspects.

The message said “The current atmosphere in Israel is rapidly approaching that of witch-hunting with its dangerous implications for civil liberties and personal honor. This is causing both serious political damage to Israel and irreparable educational harm to the Chalutz Movement here in the United States. We pledge our full support to those in Israel who fight and struggle against this campaign of hatred and slander.”

The message also noted that the Chalutz Movement here was as shocked as the Israeli community by the disclosure of Jewish participation in the spy ring. The message was signed by leaders of the Dror, Habonim, Bnei Akiva, Hashomer Hatzair and Young Judea movements.