Minister of Social Welfare Yosef Burg is leaving soon for Spain, to represent Israel at an international welfare conference to be held in that country, it was revealed here today. The Cabinet approved the trip, reportedly without debate.
There was severe criticism among various Israeli parties today against Dr. Burg’s trip, which will mark the first time a member of the Cabinet will visit Franco Spain. Representatives of the Mapam and Ahdut Avodah parties were unhappy because the Government would thus permit one of its ministers to visit a country run by a fascist dictator who backed Hitler during World War II. Since Dr. Burg is a member of the National Religious Party, religious elements are unhappy about his trip, pointing out that Orthodox Jews have avoided visiting Spain since the mass expulsion of Jews from that country in 1492.
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