Premier David Ben Gurion, in his capacity of Defense Minister, has ordered Brig. Moshe Dayan, former Army Chief of Staff now on leave, to forego public appearances “in the interests of hygienic politics.”
Mr. Ben Gurion announced his order in Knesset today during a debate on a Herut motion of non-confidence in the government for its permitting Brig. Dayan, a member of the armed forces, to make political speeches. The Herut motion was defeated 63 to 27.
Responding to Herut and General Zionist heckling against the presence of Brig. Dayan and other senior army officers at Mapai public rallies, the Premier said that he was proud that the army had been kept out of politics in Israel. He knew of no other country in the world, Mr. Ben Gurion continued, where the army interfered less in politics than in Israel. However, he continued, in view of the storm raised over Brig. Dayan’s speeches, he deemed it advisable to request the officer to end his public speeches.
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