Prime Minister Levi Eshkol’s plans to present his new Cabinet to the Knesset (Parliament) tomorrow were altered today, postponing the final Cabinet set-up until later this week or early next week, following a dispute between the two “alignment” partners over a division of portfolios in the new Government. The “alignment” partners are Mr. Eshkol’s own Mapai Party and Achdut Avoda which, together, had won 45 out of 120 Knesset seats in the general elections held November 2.
The Cabinet was ready for presentation after an understanding had been reached between the National Religious Party and the remaining parties that had agreed to enter the new coalition. Those parties, in addition to the “alignment” and the NRP, are the left-wing Mapam and the Independent Liberal Party. Together, these groups, bolstered by the Mapai-affiliated Arab parties, hold 73 seats in the current Knesset.
The NRP had finally consented to join the coalition following a compromise agreement with the other parties about strengthening various religious laws, especially laws concerning stricter observance of the Sabbath, The compromise included the understanding that Sabbath work at the new port of Ashdod will be barred except in emergency situations.
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