Herut Convention Opens in Tel Aviv; Beigin Lashes out at Israeli Government Policies

The Israeli Government’s policies were severely criticized today when the first convention of the Herut Party opened here with Menachem Beigin, head of the party, delivering the principal address. Several hundred delegates, including a number of Druzes, attended the first session.

Beigin, in his address, attacked the government for being satisfied with “formal achievements” such as the “recognition of more than 50 nations.” He claimed that “in fact Israel is isolated politically,” and said that the Israeli Government’s past and present course of foreign policy is leading the Jewish state “into an abyss.” He criticized the acceptance of the U.N. partition decision and charged that this act was leading Israel towards a policy of compromise and concession.

Lashing out particularly at Premier David Ben Gurion and the Mapai Party, Mr. Beigin pointed up the fact that to date the government has not submitted a draft constitution and has used present emergency regulations with “unlimited powers.” Declaring that “the Irgun Zvai Leumi will fight these regulations” even at the cost of imprisonment, he stated that the Herut will soon submit a draft constitution in the Knesset, drawn up by Herut deputy Dr. Yochanan Bader.

Mr. Beigin also blamed the Mapai for the present economic difficulties confronting the Jewish state, declaring that these hardships have arisen as a result of month, he emphasized, immigration hit a low of 10,000.

“In order to prevent a catastrophe,” he declared, “we must allow private investment enterprises in Israel and increase our exports through the sale of Israeli goods throughout the Diaspora.” He expressed the belief that a desirable situation would result when every Jew outside Israel would say, “I want something from Israel.”