Israel’s Cabinet today discussed the Suez Canal situation at its session this morning, in the light of the fact that a second freighter, the Greek ship Astypalea, is now being held at the Port Said entrance to the canal by Egyptian authorities intent on confiscating cargoes originating in Israel. The first such ship this year, the Danish Inge Toft, has been docked at Port Said since last May.
The Cabinet discussed steps that the Government might take to implement its right of freedom of passage through the Suez, according to a Government spokesman. There was no indication, however, as to what those “steps” might be.
Prior to the Cabinet meeting. Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion formally presented the members of his new Cabinet to President Izhak Ben-Zvi. That ceremony had been postponed because of Mr. Ben-Gurion’s illness, from which he has now apparently recovered.
The Cabinet also approved the appointment of Shlomo Rosenberg as Deputy Minister of interior, and Ami Assaf as Deputy Minister of Education.
The Mapai, meanwhile, approved the nomination of Yaacov Tsur, acting Director General of the Foreign Ministry, as candidate for membership on the Jewish Agency executive replacing Avraham Harman, now Ambassador to Washington. Mr. Tsur’s candidacy is expected to be approved by the Zionist General Council convening tomorrow. The strongest candidate for the post of Director General of the Foreign Ministry, was today reported to be Haim Yahil, the Deputy Director General.
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