Victor Shemtov, Mapam’s new political secretary, said in his first meeting with political correspondents that his party will “support any plan” of Premier Menachem Begin “that will prevent war” and warned that if progress towards peace is not realized within two to three months some forces within Israel may emerge that will jeopardize the process and destroy chances for peace.
Shemtov said Israel faces “a possibility of a situation called war or a situation that will prevent war.” He described Begin as a dove in his plan for Sinai but a hawk with regard to his plan for the West Bank. The Mapam leader said that preventing any impediment toward peace is the prime function of his party at this time. He also told the correspondent that Mapam will hold a discussion within six months on ways to help revitalize the Labor movement. This, he stated, will have to include a change and a rejuvenation of the movement’s leadership.
Shemtov also announced that Mapam was planning to launch an urban youth movement that will parallel Hashomer Hatzair which will continue to function as an educational youth movement. The new urban youth movement, he said, will be aimed at mature youths and will function as a kind of young guard of Mapam.
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