Behind the Headlines Israelis Unsure of Rabin

As May was ending, everybody at the Knesset was talking disengagement, but Premier-designate Yitzhak Rabin was sitting in the cafeteria quiet as ever. He was doing a lot of listening — for many find it worthwhile to exchange words with the new Premier — but as he was chain smoking his cigarets, his blue eyes looked as if they were asking the national question: “Ma Ihye? What’s going to happen?”

Israelis are now seeking answers rather than questions. There are many doubts about the new Cabinet, even before it begins its work. Instead of the recently unpopular Golda Meir Cabinet, a Cabinet of mostly colorless politicians is about to take over. “I am afraid of them. I am really afraid,” many Israelis say.

This so-called dynamic, modern and young state has an ultra conservative public. It took a terrible war for the Israelis to demand a change in the government. Never before in the short history of Israel has there been such a drastic change in the leadership. But now, that the change has finally come, mainly by the quitting of Golda Meir, Moshe Dayan, Pinhas Sapir and Abba Eban, many Israelis are longing for the old leadership, and express doubts about the new Premier.

Rabin, who up to now has proven himself in the positions he held, is taking the Premier’s seat with very little credit from his people. It is too early to Judge whether this public attitude is justified or not. However, this state of affairs naturally affects Rabin’s standing within his own Labor Party, and may affect him as Israel’s leader internationally.

RABIN’S CABINET STATUS UNCERTAIN

But this is far from the only difficulty facing the Rabin Cabinet. Rabin’s status within the Cabinet is still unclear. Two of the key ministries are held by persons who will seek to have maximum freedom of decision. Shimon Peres, perhaps the minister who came out best from the present crisis, is not likely to have Rabin on his back as Defense Minister. Yigal Allon as Foreign Minister has finally made it to a clearly Influential position. He is likely to try exercising this influence without interference.

Aharon Yariv, generally considered one of the most talented ministers in the Rabin Cabinet, is information Minister — explaining what others do, rather than doing it himself.

Shlomo Hillel, the Police Minister who has always aspired for other ministries, perhaps not realizing that this should be one of the most important posts, will remain in office. To compensate for his unfulfilled aspirations he will head a ministerial committee on welfare and will become — until the National Religious Party decides whether it stays out or returns — acting Interior Minister.

A weak Mapam Minister is heading the important Absorption Ministry, unable to bring immigration back on its feet. If Aliya increases, it is doubtful that the Ministry, headed by Shlomo Rosen will handle the situation. With Sapir becoming the new chairman of the Jewish Agency, the Ministry is doomed to be without influence.

There are also three Ministers without Ministries. These three are among the finest in the Cabinet — Shulamit Aloni, Gideon Hausner, and Israel Galili. Galili raised one question: if the 1973 leadership was to go home, what is he, a key figure in Golda’s “kitchen” doing at the Cabinet table? But the question now seems minor compared to the other issues the Rabin Cabinet faces.

The new Cabinet relies on a narrow 61-seat majority is the Knesset, but with defections possible. Rabin will be forced to lean on such parties as the hated New Communists (four seats) and the one-man faction of Moked.

MAPAI WAITING CHANCE

The situation within the party is not more encouraging. Last week there was talk about the fall of the great Mapai, but this is premature. The ousted Foreign Minister Abba Eban in a series of interviews in last weekend’s press did not leave any doubts — he was going to pose as a political leader, he was going to challenge the Rabin leadership within the party. With the support of Sapir he could give Rabin a rough time. Therefore, Mapai has not died. Mapai is just taking a rest before it fights to keep its leadership. Finance Minister Yehoshua Rabinovitz and Housing Minister Abraham Offer will see to it from within the Cabinet.

If Rabin — contrary to expectations — proves to become a real leader. Mapai will probably learn to live with the new constellation. However, if Rabin falls, the Mapai leaders will sit and watch, and when they think the time is ripe, they will make the Rabin Cabinet fall, just by simply staying out of the Knesset sessions. New elections will follow and the race for the Premiership will start again. Eban, unlike Dayan and Mrs. Meir knew when to step down. He may then emerge as the new leader, supported by the strong, renovated party machinery.

Eban does not hide these intentions. In an interview to Maariv, he said: “If the race were to begin again. I would not hesitate for a moment to run with all my strength. I shall now use the opportunity and develop an independent standing with my own style. I repeat what I have previously said: There is nothing wrong if Israel develops a reserve leadership.”

However, Rabin may prove to be just the Premier Israel needed, Peres may be just the Defense Minister the security system needs. Allon may develop a new constructive style in Israel’s foreign policy. As the new Cabinet takes over, most Israelis pray for this to happen — with little belief.