Premier David Ben Gurion’s new 13-man Cabinet today received a vote of confidence from the Israel Parliament. The actual vote was 69 to 42, with two abstentions.
Immediately after the vote was announced, Speaker of the House Joseph Sprinzak called up each of the Ministers to take his Constitutional oath of allegiance. First was the Premier, who was followed by the two new members of the body — Yaakov Geri, independent, and Pinhas Lubianike; Mapai, who have assumed the portfolics of Trade and Industry and Agriculture, respectively. The other Ministers followed, except for labor Minister Golda Myerson and Finance Minister Eliezer Eaplan, who are now in the United States and will take their oath upon their return.
Winding up the debate which preceded the vote, Mr. Ben Gurion declared that his new coalition government would be based on a program of “gathering in the exiles,” increasing industrial and agricultural production in order to obtain maximum economic independence and, above all, safeguarding the security of the state. He warned that the dangers ahead of the young state are as grave as those which it has thus far faced. He concluded his address with an expression of hope for the stability of the government.
Last night, during the early hours of the general debate in the Knesset, Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett declared that Israel’s program at the United Nations is one of determining its responsibility and role in strengthening the international organization as an “effective instrument against aggression and for the preservation of world peace.” He asserted that “all the votes cast by Israel on the Korean issue and on the “unity for peace” proposals are conclusions of this basic promise.”
Mr. Sharett, who is scheduled to return to Lake Success today, was asked by a left-wing Socialist — Mapam — deputy why a labor Cabinet based on a united Mapi-Mapam program had not been formed. In reply, Mr. Sharett charged that earlier attempts to achieve such unity had been wrecked by the left-wingers’ refusal. He added: “For some of us that attempt was the last and the effects of the disagreement are permanent.”
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