Friction developed between Mapam and the Labor Party again today over an area in the southern Gaza Strip and Northern Sinai which was cordoned off by the Army for security reasons. Mapam protested the move last month which involved the relocation of several thousand Bedouins. The issue came up again today after the Mapam secretariate gave its blessings to a press conference at which Mapam kibbutz members made accusations against Defense Minister Moshe Dayan and Gen. Aric Sharon, commander of the Southern Command.
The Mapam members protested against the eviction of the Bedouins and the manner in which it was carried out. They said Dayan was in the area during the operation. Defense Ministry sources denied that he was. An Army spokesman denied Mapam charges that the military had misled the public by providing incorrect information on the operation. Labor Party leaders, angered by the Mapam accusations, have asked Premier Golda Meir to intervene. She is expected to meet with Mapam leaders within a few days.
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