Entrance of the ultra-Orthodox Poalei Agudat Israel into the present Israel coalition government, which has been approved in principle, may be delayed slightly pending settlement of the long-standing teachers dispute, it was reported today.
It was understood that Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion wanted to present to the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament, all of his Cabinet choices at one time. These will include Benjamin Mintz, representing Poalei Agudat Israel, and the new Minister of Education, replacing Zalman Aranne who resigned in a dispute with his own party, the Mapai, on the issue of recognition of a new teachers union independent of the general teachers union affiliated with the Histadrut.
The replacement for Mr. Aranne was presumed to be Abba Eban, former Israel Ambassador to the United States, who is now a Minister Without Portfolio. The Prime Minister stepped into the teachers’ dispute when Mr. Aranne indicated his intention to quit his Cabinet post. Mr. Ben-Gurion reportedly wanted the teachers’ dispute settled to enable the new Minister of Education to begin his duties with a minimum of difficulties.
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