NEWS OF THE PROFESSION

The goal of this paper is to investigate the relationship between the labour movement and unemployment insurance (UI). Following a brief ove rview of the evolution of the approach of labour movements towards UI, the focus shifts to an analysis of a case study of the Israeli labour movement. The study traces the development of the approach of this mo vement towards UI during the pre-state period and following the establ ishment of Israel. It indicates that, while the policy adopted by the Israeli labour movement in the pre-state period was similar to that of other labour movements, the motivation differed in that the goals of the Israeli movement were primarily nationalist. In the post-independe nce period, the labour movement objected to the adoption of UI and pre vented the introduction of this programme for two decades. The reasons for this are linked to the values and perceptions of the labour movem ent leadership and the legacies of policies adopted during the pre-sta te period.