Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion and Dr. Nahum Goldmann met today in the third of a series of meetings aimed at clarifying relationships between the Government of Israel and the Jewish Agency. The meeting was one of two dealing with preparations for the forthcoming 25th World Zionist Congress, which opens here December 27.
At another meeting today, that of the Mapai committee dealing with Zionist Congress issues–which is headed by Finance Minister Levi Eshkol–a discussion was held of the situation which followed the reported final refusal by former Prime Minister Moshe Sharett to accept an offer of a co-presidency with Dr. Goldmann of the World Zionist Organization and chairmanship of the Jewish Agency executive in Jerusalem. The Mapai committee began consideration of the party’s alternative candidates for the Agency chairmanship and other memberships of the executive.
It was reported today that Mrs. Golda Meir, Israel’s Foreign Minister, and Mr. Eshkol will make the official speeches on behalf of the State of Israel at the Zionist Congress instead of Mr. Ben-Gurion who will speak in his private capacity as a “simple delegate.” It was understood this arrangement was reached after the Israel Cabinet decided that the Prime Minister could not voice his opposition to the Zionist movement in a way which could be interpreted as though he spoke for the Israel Government.
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