The Arab refugee problem and the dominant Mapai Party’s stand on that issue following Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion’s recent discussion of the subject with American President John F. Kennedy was hotly discussed in the Cabinet here today, and exploded in partisan attacks outside the Cabinet.
With Michael S. Cormay, Israel’s permanent representative at the United Nations, due here by next Sunday, the Cabinet will resume discussion of that topic next week. The Government is maintaining strict secrecy regarding whatever plans it might have on the refugee issue, and it is expected that Israel’s policy on the question, to be implemented at the next session of the UN General Assembly next September, may be decided in a week.
Meanwhile, the left-wing Mapam is accusing Mapai of maintaining secrecy about the Kennedy–Ben-Gurion talks on the refugee issue–while informing the Mapai members of the Cabinet at a caucus. Mapam accuses Mr. Ben-Gurion of having adopted its policy for admission into Israel of some refugees, at least those who may be reunited with their families here–but keeping that decision secret due to the current Knesset (Parliament) election campaign.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
