Israel Cabinet Decides to Adhere to International Red Cross Convention

Israel will adhere to the International Red Cross convention, under a Cabinet decision reached last night, it was officially announced today.

Israel will hold certain reservations, however, in joining the international body, particularly regarding the rejection last summer by the Red Cross of inclusion of the Red Shield of David as one of its emblems. The Cabinet decision must be approved by the Knesset before it becomes final.

High in priority among the bills to be submitted to the Knesset when it reconvenes Monday is a measure which would encourage the transfer here of Jewish capital abroad. The bill is among those measures recommended at the first session this year of the Knesset by Premier David Ben Gurion.

Under the bill, certain facilities would be granted to investors bringing their capital to Israel. Such capital, invested in buildings, would be exempt from taxation for a period of five years and depreciation margins would be increased. Industrial and agricultural equipment imported from abroad would be exempt from customs duties. Foreign investors coming here would not be compelled to declare their foreign currency holdings.

Other major bills coming up for debate include one providing equal rights for women, a bill authorizing certain national public works, a measure creating a scientific council, and labor bills restricting the working day to eight hours–or a total of 48 hours weekly–and providing for paid annual vacations. There are also measures covering the employment of children and adolescents, and their compulsory medical examination as a prerequisite to their employment and prohibition of employment of minors under 14 years of age.

The government also plans to introduce a special bill providing for the punishment of war criminals in World War II and a measure controlling Zionist fund-raising campaigns here and abroad.