Representatives of the National Religious Party broke off coalition talks with Labor Alignment negotiators last night but agreed to another meeting Sunday with Premier Golda Meir. The issue continued to be a deadlock over Orthodox demands for a change in the Law of Return to bar conversions of immigrants made in other countries by non-Orthodox rabbis. NRP spokesmen said last night they were withdrawing because they could see no basis for participation in a new government.
A variety of proposals have been offered by the Labor Alignment negotiators in efforts to resolve the “Who is a Jew” dispute but none so far have proved acceptable to the NRP and Orthodox elements in other countries who are insisting on amendment of the Law of Return. Theoretically, Mrs. Meir’s 21-day mandate to form a new government will expire on Monday. However, Israel’s President can extend the period on request of the Premier.
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