Nearly all Israeli newspapers devoted their editorials today to the deterioration in relations between Israel and South Africa. Most of the editorials approved the steps taken by the Israeli Government including the decision not to replace the Israeli Minister to South Africa, Simcha Pratt, The papers warned the Government, however, against going too far.
It was learned here today that Mr. Pratt, who was recalled from Pretoria to serve in Israel’s delegation to the United Nations General Assembly, will be appointed Israeli Ambassador to Mexico.
The Liberal Party faction of the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament, meanwhile, announced today that it had called an urgent meeting of its membership for tomorrow to discuss the contemplated termination by El Al Israel National Airlines of its services to South Africa.
The party’s secretary general Yitzhak Artsi said the Liberals consider the steps taken by the Government towards South Africa as too rash and that even a number of African states have not yet gone as far as Israel in this direction. In view of the more than 100, 000 Jews in South Africa, he declared, Israel should not head the countries enforcing the economic embargo against South Africa.
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