Life in this metropolitan city of Israel stood at a standstill today when all stores, restaurants and cafes closed down following the call of the Merchants Association to strike in protest against the recent law which introduced rationing of shoes and clothing in the country.
In contrast to the privately-owned commercial establishments, the cooperative food shops managed by Tnuva — controlled by the Israel Federation of Labor — remained open. Pharmacies similarly remained open, while artisans shops are functioning in accordance with a decision adopted last night by the Artisans Association not to participate in the merchants’ strike pending negotiations with the Ministry of Supply.
More than 20,000 persons last night attended a meeting protesting against the economic policy of the government. The meeting, sponsored by the extreme right Herut Party, took place at Mograby Square, in the center of Tel Aviv. A resolution adopted at the meeting called upon President Weizmann to intervene into the “critical situation,” to disband the parliament and to order new parliamentary elections.
Mizrachi orthodox merchants and their followers decided last night to urge the Mizrachi members in the parliament to withdraw their support from the government on its rationing policy because it affocts private enterprise. The decision said that the withdrawal of the Mizrachi members from the Israel Cabinet should also be considered.
The Tel Aviv Chamber of Commerce, the Merchants Association and the General Federation of Middle-Class Traders today distributed leaflets warning the government, parliament and the public against “the danger of the prevailing regime of ordinances and the detrimental rationing system imposed.”
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.
