Beigin Denies Putting out ‘feelers’ for Gahal Return to Government

Menachem Beigin denied last night that he was putting out “feelers” for the return of the Gahal faction to the government. Gahal quit the national unity coalition of Premier Golda Meir last summer in protest against the government’s acceptance of the Jarring talks and the cease-fire. Beigin was quoted earlier this week as saying that Gahal was ready to consider conditions the government might offer it to rejoin the coalition. Beigin, chairman of Gahal and leader of its Herut wing, said his intention was to form a coalition of government and opposition personalities for a propaganda campaign in the United States against the Rogers Plan. He said that did not mean Gahal was seeking to rejoin the government. He added, however, that if Gahal was approached with proposals in that direction, “we shall study it.”