GV INT Trades Union Secretary-General Meshel addressing union meeting with PM Rabin beside him

CU ZOOM Black Panther leader Shalom Cohen surrounded by supporters

CU PAN FROM Meshel speaking to P.M. Rabin PAN TO crowded room

SV Black Panther supporters clapping

SV Officials fight and argue (2 shots)

GV demonstrators marching through streets in Ashdod carrying banners and shouting slogans (3 shots)

GV fires burning during rioting in Hatikva; demonstrators chanting around fires



Initials BB/2100 EW/AW/BB/2132



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Background: Israeli union leaders were told by Prime Minister Yitzhah Rabin in Tel Aviv on Tuesday (12 November) that the Government's draconian economic programme was the price Israel must pay to guard against another war.

The unionists, headed by Yerucham Meshel, were assembled to hear the Prime Minister, accompanied by Finance Minister, Yehoshua Rabinowitz, appeal to workers to forego payment of cost-living allowances due to be paid next January and June.

The meeting was also attended by Black Panther leader Shalom Cohen. The Black Panthers represent some of the poorest Jews...those who will be hardest hit by the new measures.

Scuffling broke out during the debate after opposition leader Yehoram Aridor accused the Government of betraying the working class. The unionists later voted to reject the Prime Minister's appeal.

Later in the day, in the southern Israeli port of Ashdod, hundreds of demonstrators protested against the new economic policies. The demonstration went off peacefully unlike the protest in the rundown Tel Aviv suburb of Hatikva, which experienced its third successive night of disturbances.

Here, police voved in after demonstrators lit bonfires in the street. Several protestors were arrested.

SYNOPSIS: Union Secretary-General, Yerucham Meshel, headed a meeting of top Israeli trade unionists in Tel Aviv on Tuesday to discuss the country's new economic policies. Black Panther leader, Shalom Cohen, also attended the session.

Earlier the unionists had been told by Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin that the stringent new measures were the price Israel must pay to defend herself against another war. The Premier appealed to workers to forego cost-of-living allowances soon to come into operation.

The new economic measures will increase already ???aring prices. Scuffling broke out after Opposition leader, Yehoram Ar???dor, accused the Government of betraying the working class.

Bread and butter have doubled in price, and sugar has trebled. Just about every food item had been affected...as well as petrol, electricity, clothing, furniture and a number of essential services. And more price rises are inevitable. This demonstration, however went off relatively peacefully -- unlike a protest in the Tel Aviv slum suburb of Hatikva. It was the third night of disturbances in the area.

Although there was no rioting, police moved in after fires had been started. On the two previous nights, windows had been broken and cars overturned.

The protests came as union leaders voted to reject the Government's appeal to accept the new austerity policies. Instead they decided to policies. Instead they decided to press for the full payment of cost-of-living allowances and a guarantee of full employment.

Several arrests followed the Hatikva demonstration, and the protest was described as less violent than on the previous nights.