10,000 Demonstrate in London; Affirm Solidarity with Israel in Current Crisis

A giant mass demonstration of 10,000 persons, acclaiming “Solidarity with Israel,” was held here today, with the participation of many leading members of Parliament, representing all of Britain’s major political parties, as well as some of the country’s most noted scholars, churchmen, authors and artists. The demonstration opened at the Speakers Corner of Hyde Park, and the participants marched two miles to the Israel Embassy, to present a document affirming solidarity with Israel during the current crisis.

The document was signed by 90 members of Parliament and by some of Britain’s most noted intellectuals. It “welcomed” Prime Minister Harold Wilson’s and the Government’s “readiness to take part in international action to maintain freedom of passage through the Strait of Tiran” and urged strongly that “this action be taken immediately, so that ships of all nations be allowed to pass that international waterway without let or hindrance.”

At the same time, the Bureau of the Socialist International, ruling body of world Socialism outside the Soviet Union, held a special meeting here today. After a three-hour debate, all of it friendly to Israel, the Bureau adopted a resolution calling on all governments to help reduce tensions in the Middle East. The resolution also called on the United Nations to restore to its former positions the United Nations Emergency Force, and to assure freedom of shipping through the Strait of Tiran.

The British Trade Union Congress also acted today on the Middle East crisis. The Congress called for the preservation of peace on the Israeli-Arab borders and for freedom of passage through the Strait of Tiran. It also urged the United Nations Security Council to seek a “durable solution” of the Middle East situation, and called on the International Confederation of Trade Unions and the French Confederation of Trade Unions to act in similar vein.