Knesset Starts Debate on Educational Tv Project; Reservations Noted

Education Minister Abba Eban today urged the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, to approve the Cabinet proposal to accept an offer by the Rothschild Group to finance the establishment and test operation of an educational television network for Israel. According to the proposal, the Government would decide whether to take over complete responsibility for the project at the end of the trial period of two to three years.

In an address opening debate on the issue, Mr. Eban stressed that the Knesset was not being asked to take a stand now on a general television network. He said he could not understand any objections to educational television. He assured the Knesset that the Education Ministry would bear exclusive responsibility for the content and form of the programs.

The debate in the House revealed deep reservations over the project even among those ready to support the scheme as speakers seemed to agree that, while the item on the agenda was educational television, the real issue was general television which many believed would inevitably follow.

It is understood that Achdut Avoda and the National Religious Party would seek Cabinet permission to vote independently on the question without being bound by the coalition clause requiring collective responsibility on Cabinet proposals. The debate is expected to be concluded next week.

(A television “propaganda war” between the Arab states and Israel was predicted by Arab TV officials as a result of Israel’s plan to establish an educational TV network there, it was reported here today from Beirut. The report said that both sides are expected to use this medium for “propaganda offensives” onto each other’s screens. Cairo, which has the region’s best television facilities, and Beirut, where there are two independent commercial stations, will be able to reach Israel’s screens, while Israel’s projected television network is expected to be received clearly in most Arab states.)