An official denial that Premier David Ben Gurion sent a cable to Prof, Albert Einstein in the United States inquiring whether he would agree to become President of Israel, to succeed the late President Chaim Weizmann, was issued here today by the Premier’s Office.
“The Premier’s Office does not know anything about any such inquiry,” the communication said. The suggestion that Prof. Einstein be invited to become President of the Jewish State was made several days ago by the evening newspaper Maariv, published in Tel Aviv.
Leaders of various parties here, who are conducting informal discussions on the naming of a candidate for the Presidency, today indicated that the problem of inviting a candidate from abroad has not arisen in any party. “We have and will find a President among ourselves,” was the opinion expressed by leaders of the major parties.
Meanwhile, Acting President Joseph Sprinzak today informed all members of the Israel Parliament by letter that elections for a new President will take place on Dec. 8, but that the parties must submit the names of their candidates no later than November 28. It is believed that Mr. Sprinzak, who is the Speaker of the Parliament, has the best chance to succeed Dr. Weizmann’s as President of the State of Israel.
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