Premier-designate Levi Eshkol this evening presented his new Cabinet to the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament. He emphasized that the new Government is a Government of continuity, and that it will follow the principles of the last Government. It will also be bound by the same coalition agreements, Mr. Eshkol stressed.
Ealman Aranne, the new Minister of Education, is the only new member of the Cabinet. He replaces Abba Eban, who was named to the new post of Deputy Premier. The Finance Ministry portfolio, which was held by Mr. Eshkol in the previous Government, was given to Pinhas Sapir, who will continue also in his post of Minister of Commerce and Industry. Like his predecessor, Mr. Ben-Gurion, Premier Eshkol will also hold the post of Minister of Defense.
Other members of the new Cabinet, who will continue in their posts are: Mrs. Golda Meir, Foreign Affairs; Bechor Shitreet, Police; Dov Joseph, Justice; Yosef Almogi, Development; Moshe Dayan, Agriculture; Eliahu Sasson, Posts–all of Mapai; Moshe Shapiro, Interior and Health; Dr. Yosef Burg, Welfare; and Zerach Warhaftig, Religious Affairs–all of the National Religious party; Israel Bar-Yehuda, Transport and Yigal Allon, Labor, both of Achdut Avoda.
In presenting the new Government, Mr. Eshkol said that the strengthening of Israel must be a vital goal, not only for Israel but also for the governments that are anxious for peace in the area and the entire world.
“We shall, therefore, continue to demand that all peace-loving countries should endeavor to the limit of their capacity and influence, dissuade the Arab rulers from following in the path of aggression and military adventure and to bring them to the realization that direct negotiations between Israel and the Arab countries are the only way to achieve peace, or progress toward it, ” he declared.
WILL GIVE PRIORITY TO STRENGTHENING ISRAEL’S SECURITY
Mr. Eshkol told the deputies that as long as the Arab countries maintain an aggressive policy and continue to stockpile modern types of offensive weapons designed for the destruction of Israel, “we must maintain constant security preparedness. A strong Israel is a guarantee for the prevention of war in the Middle East.”
He reiterated Israel’s wish to achieve a general disarmament with the Arab states and said that a special duty rests on the powers to ensure that an arms imbalance is not created to Israel’s detriment and to the advantage of those threatening to attack her.
After stating that the Government’s first priority will be given to strengthening security, Mr. Eshkol said that the Government’s economic policy will be geared to encouraging all branches of endeavor that increase foreign currency income and productive employment shipping, aviation, tourism and finance.
Describing the partnership between Israel and the Diaspora as unparalleled in history, he said efforts must be made to transform the material partnership of Western Jewry into a spiritual one. While the Government will make an all-out effort to absorb immigrants of distress, it will also encourage immigration from the prosperous countries, he said.
PLEDGES INTEGRATION OF ISRAELI ARABS IN ALL SPHERES OF LIFE
Mr. Eshkol indicated that the new Government is open to other parties wishing to join the coalition on the basis of the national and social principles outlined. He said Israel society was still in the process of creation and pressures from without and within were great. “Our security, economic and social stability, cultural standards and values are still in a state of flux, ” he stated. “In these circumstances, every individual and every group making demands must see not only their own particular demands, but also the needs of the community.”
The Government, he said, will work unremittingly to ensure complete integration of Israel’s Arab citizens in all spheres of life, will persevere to develop their economy, raise their standard of living, foster education and improve the services they receive.
Turning to foreign policy, Mr. Eshkol said the Government will strive for closer political and economic ties with all countries of the east and west in all continents that sincerely desire to cooperate and will continue to cooperate with the new states in Africa, Asia and Latin America who have won independence in recent years.
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