Yaacov Meridor, Horut deputy, declared in the Knesset last night during the resumed debate on the military service bill now under consideration by the Israel parliament that “every three Jews will have to reckon with one Arab” after the anticipated admission of 100,000 Palestine Arab refugees to Israel.
Mr. Meridor, who was deputy commander of the dissolved Irgun Zvai Leumi, said that this would result in a “most dangerous situation, likely to bring about serious domestic troubles in case of war with the Arab countries”. The Herut leader expressed approval of government plans for a strong army and for equal duties for men and women who, he said, “proved invaluable in the Haganah ranks”.
Israel Galilee, former Haganah field commander, speaking for the Mapam faction in the Knesset, asserted that there is no guarantee that war between Israel and the Arab states will not be resumed suddenly since “neither peace nor military treaties have as yet been signed”. He added that the Israel Army should be made as strong as possible, in accordance with budgetary limitations which, he stated, prevent the organization of a nationwide reserve force similar to the one in Switzerland. He also approved of government plans for compulsory agricultural training in addition to military instruction.
The Knesset decided last night not to send an Israel delegation to the sessions of the Inter-Parliamentary Congress opening soon in Stockholm. The decision was taken after the deputies failed to reach agreement on the composition of the Jewish state’s delegation.
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