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of Resignation of Israeli Military Leader over Rift with Ben Gurion is Denied

August 15, 1948
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A report in the American press that Israel Galili, Deputy Defense Minister and one of the founders of Palmach, the striking force of English, has resigned from his post in the Israeli Government in protect against Premier David Ben Gurion’s efforts to liquidate Palmach’s separate organizational ###tivy within the Defense Army of Israel, was denied here today.

However, it was admitted that Galili is now “on leave.” It was also admitted that there are conflicting opinions between him and Ben Gurion regarding the status the palmach units. The Israeli premier, it was stated, is inclined to have the Palmach liquidated by incorporating it into the Israeli Army, but the General Staff, as well as leaders of the Mapam, the opposition group within Palestine’s organized #### movement, are definitely opposed to any such move. In view of this strong opposition, no action has been taken as yet with regard to Palmach.

It was also revealed today that while-Premier Ben Gurion insists on the establishment of a regular Israeli Army, the Mapam leaders prefer the existence of a popular army.” They also demand a joint military panel instead of one-man military.

(George Fielding Eliot, military expert of the New York Post, wrote today: “The reported determination of Ben Gurion to do away with the separate status of the Palmach within the Israeli Army is supported by all military experience with democratic.”)

The Israeli State Council today appointed a 13-member security committee made up of three representatives of Mapam, two from Mapam and one each from the Revisionists, Aliyah Hadashah, Mizrachi, Agudah Labor, General Zionists and Sephardic community. ##w non-Council members, — Eli Eliashar, Sephardic leader, and Mayor L. Saphir if Poach Tikvah– were also named to the body.

Premier Ben Gurion and the Israeli Armys chief of staff today paid a visit to air force installations in the Tel Aviv sector which were recently reorganized and expended. Both expressed satisfaction at the results of the reorganization.

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