In the first major reform of the election laws of the new state, the Israeli Knesset last night reduced the age requirement for voters from 21 to 18.
In political circles here the measure is considered one of the most democratic pieces of legislation of its kind. A six-month residence requirement for municipal elections was also written into the law.
Legislation designed to extend government control over foreign currency transactions and to prevent black markets in foreign currencies was also adopted. A third measure, providing for the extension of 1,600,000 pounds ($4,800,000) in loans to citrus growers, was also passed, but after a sharp fight. In response to a General Zionist deputy’s attack on government subsidies, Finance Minister Eliezer Kaplan retorted that the government has done more for the citrus growers in one year than the British did during the entire period of their mandate.
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