The Cabinet decided as a matter of principle today that Israel would continue to take international initiatives on behalf of Soviet Jews but would restrict “private initiatives” in that direction. The guidelines were adopted on the recommendation of a special committee headed by Minister-Without-Portfolio Israel Galili. The guidelines provide for measures to ensure minority rights to Jews who remain in Russia and emigration rights for those who want to leave. However, the Cabinet reportedly will have Israeli representatives abroad make it clear to anyone who consults them, which courses of action are sanctioned by Jerusalem and which are not. The latter point was reportedly adopted over the objections of Minister of Development, Gen. Ezer Weizman, the Minister of Transport, did not oppose the majority plan. Herut leader Menachem Beigin is abroad.
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