Cabinet Holds First Meeting; Reconciliation Seen Within Labor

The new Cabinet of Premier Yitzhak Rabin held its first working session this afternoon. The changing of the guard went smoothly today. Ministers of the new government devoted their first morning in office to farewells to departing ministers, getting acquainted with ministerial staff members and receiving the congratulations of well-wishers. Good cheer and good will was abundant. Reconciliation was in the air between Labor Party leaders who were bitterly divided only a few days ago and there was even speculation that Premier Rabin would soon be able to broaden his narrow coalition by inclusion of the National Religious Party, despite its vote of no confidence in the new regime in the Knesset yesterday.

The Rabin government won parliamentary approval by a margin of 61-51. One Labor MK, Mordechai Ben Porat of the Rafi faction, abstained and was joined by the four Rakah Communists. Meir Payil, of the far left Moked faction voted for the new government and it was his ballot that gave Rabin his majority of one. The Likud, joined by the NRP and the Aguda bloc, mustered the 51 opposition votes. Three Likud MKs were absent on trips abroad but their votes would not have turned the tide against Rabin.

Except for Ben Porat, Labor ranks stood fast. Outgoing Foreign Minister Abba Eban who only a few days ago was publicly challenging Rabin’s qualifications for political leadership, supported the new government and gave rise to talk of a possible reconciliation between himself and the new leadership. Some sources predicted that Eban might join the cabinet as a minister-without-portfolio and others that he would be named Labor Party secretary general replacing Aharon Yadlin, the new Minister of Education and Culture.

MRS. MEIR IGNORES MS. ALONI

Outgoing Premier Golda Meir who has never concealed her personal antipathy for Shulamit Aloni of the Civil Rights Party, and had vowed not to support a government of which Ms. Aloni was a member, cast her vote nevertheless for the Rabin Cabinet in which the outspoken CRP leader is a Minister-Without-Portfolio. When Ms. Aloni took the oath of office and seated herself, with shy smiles and girlish awkwardness, at the Cabinet table, Mrs. Meir was engaged in animated conversation with her neighbor, Yitzhak Navon. Three other departing ministers–Eban, Moshe Dayan and Pinhas Sapir–also chatted together at the rear of the House while the swearing-in ceremonies were underway. Afterwards, Dayan bounded to the platform to pump Rabin’s hand and wish him well.

Rabin met with Mrs. Meir early this morning for a briefing on current issues and introductions to senior officials of the Prime Minister’s Office. Later he took leave from officials of the Labor Ministry which he had headed during the last three months of the Meir regime. He said he had grown to like that office which showed him Israeli problems “from a different angle” but admitted he was not particularly sorry to leave it.

Israel’s new Defense Minister, Shimon Peres, took over his office without ceremony this morning. He had served as Deputy Defense Minister years ago and is quite familiar with the set-up. He was briefed by Dayan yesterday.

GREETINGS FROM KISSINGER

Yigal Allon, who is Deputy Premier and Israel’s new Foreign Minister, received a rather terse note from his predecessor this morning and a warm cable from U.S. Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger. The Kissinger message read: “Dear Yigal, welcome to the ranks of foreign ministers, a select but over-worked group which will benefit by your presence. I extend my congratulations and best wishes for your success and I look forward to working with you on the many difficult issues which still remain before us in our search for the peace you and your neighbors and the world desire for the Middle East.”

Eban’s note said: “I asked the Director General and members of the Executive (of the Foreign Ministry) to inform you of current problems, those which require action or decision in the coming days. I am at your service at any time and place. I wish you success.”

Premier Rabin, at 52, is Israel’s youngest Prime Minister and the first native born. Golda Meir, who is 76, told Knesset Speaker Yisrael Yeshayahu last night that she planned to resign from the Knesset soon but did not know when. She said she wanted to “tour the country.” (By Gil Sedan)