The council of the General Zionist Party, second largest group in the Israel Parliament, tonight authorized its leader, Dr. Peretz Bernstein, to enter into negotiations with Premier David Ben Gurion for General Zionist entrance into the Government coalition, provided that Mr. Ben Gurion make a specific offer to the General Zionists.
A spokesman for the party said tonight that the Premier had had three meetings with Dr. Bernstein since the “crisis” precipitated by the resignation of the Agudists from the government coalition and cabinet. These meetings, he said, had been devoted to general aspects of the problems confronting the Jewish State, but no concrete suggestions had been presented.
Some General Zionist sources were skeptical over chances of agreement being reached so long as the Premier persisted in “unrealistic” offers on cabinet posts to be given the General Zionists. In negotiations preceding formation of the present cabinet, the General Zionists had demanded the portfolios of Treasury, Trade and Industry, Education and Communications.
The Central Committee of the Progressive Party will meet tomorrow to discuss the situation and the inter-party negotiations. A Progressive spokesman said tonight the party still favors a broad government coalition.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
