Prime Minister Eshkol has assured the chairman of the Jewish Agency that he considers the Agency’s continued existence to be vital to Israel and the Jewish people, it was learned here today.
Mr. Eshkol gave this assurance to Aryeh L. Pincus as proposals were heard within and outside the Government to transfer many of the Agency’s functions to the Government. Mr. Eshkol said he was unequivocally opposed to any talk of liquidating the Jewish Agency. But elements within the Cabinet have already demanded that the Agency’s agricultural settlement department be transferred to the Government. Another major function of the Agency is immigration and immigrant absorption.
The question of the future roles of the Jewish Agency and the World Zionist Organization will be debated at the World Zionist Congress which convenes here next June. One plan advanced for strengthening the Jewish Agency is the appointment of a deputy cabinet minister to serve as liaison between the Government and the Agency.
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