Israel’s Parliament voted last night to abolish all emergency regulations, thus wiping out the government’s authority to maintain military government in border areas populated by Arabs However, due to parliamentary procedures, the vote amounted only to an expression of partisan opinion on the issue.
The vote last night was on a first reading of a bill submitted by the General Zionists and backed by the religious bloc and by the left-wing Achdut Avodah and Mapam. The ruling Mapai Party, backed by its bitterly oppositionist Herut and by the Progressives, abstained.
To become law, a bill must pass on three readings. Since Parliament is about to adjourn, until after next November’s elections, there will be no chance for second and third readings. Under Parliament’s rules, the bill passed on first reading will die with the adjournment of Parliament
Suspension of the military government in Arab order areas by October 1, was voted 3 to 2, by a ministerial committee in the Cabinet, Prime Minister David Ben Gurion announced last night. The minority of that committee favored only relaxation of the military rule, and not its abolition. The abolition vote in Parliament last night was interpreted as a reflection of partisan manoeuverings prior to the general election campaign.
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