Knesset Votes Registration of Gold Coins Held by Individuals

The Israel Parliament last night voted to introduce compulsory registration of all gold bullion and coins in the hands of private individuals.

Earlier, the Knesset discussed a bill to establish central control over schools and institutions of higher learning in Israel. The measure, which would provide for a “Council for Institutions of Higher Education.” would effect the Hebrew University, Weizmann Institute of Science, Haifa Technical Institute and any other institution which the council may deem fit to include in its jurisdiction.

The council would be responsible for the financial consolidation of these schools, would manage their finances and would be responsible for expanding their facilities and improving their academic standards, as well as setting tuition fees, registering students, giving examinations, presenting degrees, and appointing academic staffs. The council’s budget would be included under the appropriations of the Ministry of Education.

The council would be composed of 25 members, including the Premier, Minister of Education, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, president and rector of the Hebrew University, Chief of Staff of the Army, the heads of the faculties of the three institutions, scientific director of the Weizmann Institute, chairman of the Jewish Agency, and representatives of the Jewish National fund, authors association and the associations of teachers, doctors, engineers, lawyers and others.

An explanatory note attached to the bill said that the measure is designed to give the schools a special status and autonomy, and that the council would be an independent body. Opposition deputies attacked the measure as one which would “subjugate the institutions of higher learning to the government.”