Fifteen lists of candidates were presented to the Central Elections Committee by the deadline this evening for the Knesset elections, August 15.
The parties are: Mapai, Ahdut Ha’Avoda, the Liberal Party, Herut, the Communists, the National Religious Party, Agudat Israel, Poalei Agudat Israel, two Mapai-sponsored Arab parties, a Druse faction and a Yemenite party. There is also an independent Arab list from Nazareth, and an independent religious list headed by Moshe Ishai, formerly of the National Religious Party who was not given a high enough position on that party’s list to assure him of election. All parties posted with the Elections Committee the required deposit of 5,000 Israel pounds ($2,800).
The Mapai list contained 10 new names, including four to replace four previous candidates who died, four who were sent to diplomatic posts outside Israel since the last election, and two replacing former candidates who were dropped. The latter are Pinhas Lavon, who was forced off the list by Premier David Ben-Gurion; and Professor A. Rotenstreich.
The Sephardi groups decided not to present a separate list this time as they did in the last election. It was agreed, however, to form a separate Sephardi party after the elections.
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