The Liberals and Israel’s two leftist parties–Mapam and Achdut Avoda–made public today the conditions on which they would join Mapai in a new coalition Government.
The Liberal party demands are: state hospitalization insurance, a move toward general public health insurance; gradual abolition of foreign currency controls; and four portfolios in the next Cabinet, including Trade, Justice, Education and Health or Transport.
Mapam and Achdut Avoda agreed on the following conditions: abolition of military government in Arab sections or a free vote on this question; Parliamentary control over Israel’s security network; coalition discipline but freedom in legislation; an end to the current ban on party youth movement activities in public schools; freedom of voting in connection with the sale of arms to West Germany; and imposition of taxes on property.
The Mapai central committee was scheduled to meet tomorrow. Mapai would have to decide whether to choose between the Liberals or the two leftist parties. Mapai strategists were reported as hoping to achieve a compromise on some of the demands, whatever the final Mapai choice turns out to be.
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