Mapai Party Convention Opens Under Shadow of Ben-gurion–eshkol Rift

The Mapai Party, dominant political grouping of Israel, opened its annual convention here today midst indications that the battle between former Premier David Ben-Gurion and Prime Minister Levi Eshkol may be beyond repair.

As both sides squared off for a tough battle before a record attendance of 2,263 delegates to the conference, Mr. Ben-Gurion and one of his journalistic supporters published sensational articles which, if anything, aggravated the situation.

The two principal items on which conflicts are certain to arise at the convention are Mr. Eshkol’s plan for “alignment” of Mapai with another labor party, Ahdut Avodah, and Mr. Ben-Gurion’s insistence that the Government set up a new judicial body to probe into the old, explosive Lavon issue. Neither of these issues is on the official agenda, but the Mapai secretariat said that delegates will be allowed to raise the topics from the floor.

Mr. Ben-Gurion had stated previously that he would not attend the convention and published, in today’s newspapers, an article titled “In Lieu of an Address to the Convention.” He has changed his mind and said today he will go to the convention, but his “in lieu” article, meanwhile, repeated his demand for electoral reform, charging that the present system is “undemocratic and ugly.” He also touched on international affairs, taking a swipe at Mrs. Golda Meir, Israel’s Foreign Minister, who has been backing Mr. Eshkol.

The other publication consisted of excerpts from Mr. Ben-Gurion’s forthcoming white paper” on the Lavon affair. This book had been written for Mr. Ben-Gurion by Haggai Eshed, a local journalist. The excerpts furnished to the press by Mr. Eshed, contain hints which are not helpful to those trying to bring about conciliation between Ben-Gurion and Eshkol.