The two main opposition parties in Israel–the Gahal combination of Herut and Liberals and former Premier David Ben-Gurion’s dissident Israel Workers party (Rafi)–proposed today to President Zalman Shazar that he entrust the formation of a new Cabinet to Premier Levi Eshkol. The Premier led his alignment of Mapai and Achdut Avoda to a resounding victory in the November 2 municipal and Parliamentary elections.
The Gahal and Rafi leaders made the suggestion in talks with President Shazar who is now in the process of consulting with all political parties, in accordance with Israeli law, on their views concerning the next Government. As head of the country’s largest party and of the faction winning the most seats in Israel’s Parliament, Premier Eshkol automatically can expect to be asked to form a new Government. The suggestion of the two opposition parties was nevertheless considered significant.
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