Begin Leaves Hospital; Will Return to Work in Two Weeks

Premier Menachem Begin left Hadassah Hospital today in what doctor described as a very satisfactory condition after treatment for a mild heart attack he suffered two weeks ago. However, Dr. Mervyn Gottesman said Begin would have to rest at home for another two weeks and continue to take “light medication” before he can resume his regular work load.

On leaving the hospital, Begin told reporters that the Arabs can have “even 20 flags flying in Jerusalem” provided that the Arab states recognize Israel and Jerusalem as its capital. He made that remark when asked to comment on President Anwar Sadat’s recent observation that it would be in Israel’s interest to have Arab flags raised over the Moslem holy sites in Jerusalem.

Begin also commented on France’s sale of uranium to Iraq which he called “a very serious development.” Acting Premier Yigael Yadin said on a television interview that Israel has expressed its concern “in diplomatic and other channels” to the French government and was taking other action which he did not specify.

Yesterday, Transport Minister Haim Landau said he would boycott the Bastille Day celebrations at the French Embassy today to protest France’s Middle East policies and specifically, its sale of two nuclear reactors to Iraq capable of producing fissionable material for atom bombs. (See P. 3.)

The French deal with Iraq is “very serious” Landau said, adding that France was assuming “a very grave responsibility.” Two other MKs, Avraham Sharir of Likud and Akiva Nof of the Democratic Movement, also announced that they would not attend the French Embassy reception for the same reason.