Ben Gurion Seeks Increased Security for Israel; Opposes Compromise with Centrists Left

A demand for increased security efforts by the people and Government of Israel was voiced here last night by Premier David Ben Gurion at an election rally of Mapai political workers. The Premier stressed that the Arab refusal to conclude a peace with Israel and their refusal to recognize the Jewish state made it imperative that the state’s security position be guarded and improved.

He declared that it is not the aim of the Israel Labor Party to achieve the “whole Zionist and Socialist vision” in the four years of the next administration, but that the Mapai’s aim is to increase the Jewish population of the country to 2,000,0000 by the end of that time and, at the same time, to strengthen the position of the workers. He stated flatly that there would be no compromise with the Mapam, which he charged with desiring to include Israel in the Cominform, nor with the General Zionists, whom he accused of wanting free enterprise so that individuals could be enriched at the expense of the state.

Finally, Mr. Ben Gurion praised the collaboration between Israel and the Jewish people and said that the next four years would be decisive for that relationship as well as for the world at large and the nation as a whole.

In the township of Majdal left-wing demonstrators interrupted a speech by Premier Ben Gurion with shouts of “American Fascist.” The Premier quieted the crowd and, addressing the demonstrators, said: “This is a democratic country and anyone may say what he wants. But would the friends of the Cominform dare to demonstrate the People’s Republics for the immigration of their friends?”

As a result of the Israel polling for delegates to the World Zionist Congress to be held here next month, the Mapai Party will have 104 seats of the total alloted to Israel. The Mapam Party will have 46; the Hapoel Hamizrachi, 26; Herut Party, 22, and the Progressive Party, 12. The General Zionist Party and the Mizrachi boycotted the election.