The debate on whether Israel should conduct direct negotiations with Germany on reparations was resumed in Parliament today while the city returned to normal after yesterday’s clashes between the police and Heruth demonstrators who gathered from all parts of the country to protest the government’s proposal.
Menahem Beigin, leader of the Herut Party, last night announced that he would waive his parliamentary immunity. He also withdrew the epithet “hooligan” which he hurled yesterday at Premier David Ben Gurion in the heat of the Parliamentary discussion.
The Knesset debate, halted yesterday in the face of threatened fistcuffs among the deputies, resumed this evening with Pinhas Rosen, Progressive Party leader, and Zalman Shazar, Mapai deputy, supporting the government’s proposal. Shmuel Mikunis, Communist deputy, opposed negotiations with the West German Government which he called the successor to Hitlerism, but advocated the conclusion of peace with East Germany. Rabbi Mordecai Nurock of the Mizrachi opposed either claiming or accepting restitution from Germany on the grounds that this would mean the beginning of formal recognition of Germany.
The executive committee of the Mapai today called upon the public to support the government against all acts of violence. Meanwhile, the Histadrut executive is scheduled to meet here tonight to discuss yesterday’s rioting.
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