Rabin to Critics in the Government; Stop Public Criticism or Resign

Premier Yitzhak Rabin challenged Cabinet ministers who feel they cannot live with government policy to cease public criticism or resign. The statement, made by Rabin at Sunday’s Cabinet meeting, found its way into the press today.

Ministers and pundits see Rabin’s remarks primarily addressed to Foreign Minister Yigal Allon who has been vocally uncomfortable of late with the government’s policy on the Palestinian question. That policy, enunciated in a Cabinet decision of July, 1974, bars a third state between Israel and Jordan and favors a solution only in the context of talks with Jordan.

Allon of late has seemed to incline towards the “Yariv-Shemtov formula”–that Israel should talk to any group that recognizes it and desists from terror. Rabin firmly opposes this formula. He has said privately, however, that he could conceivably envisage a third state under some moderate Palestinian leadership. Allon has asked for a Cabinet debate on the Palestinian issue but Rabin seems determined to delay it until after. his visit to the U.S. at the end of January.

Rabin’s challenge was also seen directed at doveish ministers who have spoken out publicly against the handling of the Sebastia affair, and also at ministers who have argued their opposition to budget cuts in the news media. The Premier’s blunt statement was reportedly triggered by a letter to him from Justice Minister Haim Zadok complaining about ministerial statements critical of government policies.

Zadok himself is known to have viewed with disfavor the compromise on the Sebastia affair Rabin and Defense Minister Shimon Peres struck with the Gush Emunim settlers. But he refused to speak out publicly because he felt collective Cabinet responsibility forbade this. After Rabin stated his challenge, Ministers Avraham Ofer and Moshe Kol proposed a debate then and there. Rabin demurred, saying a debate would be held only following Zadok’s return from the U.S. where he is now visiting.