The possibility that the General Zionist Party, second largest in Israel, will join the government coalition in the immediate future appeared stronger today, following weekend developments, than at any time since the last national elections when the centrists displaced the Mapam Party as runner-up to the Mapai.
A meeting between Mapai leader Premier David Ben Gurion and General Zionist chairman Dr. Peretz Bernstein is scheduled to take place Tuesday, at which time the two are expected to decide whether a foundation has been established for definite negotiations for revamping of the Cabinet on the basis of General Zionist partnership in the government.
Earlier this week-end Ben Gurion and Bernstein met for four hours, during which they discussed basic national problems. Later, at a meeting of the General Zionist Council, Bernstein said that his party would enter the government only if it were certain that participation would help the progress of the State.
The position of the centrist party was strengthened also when the results of an election for a union delegation to represent civil service workers were tallied and it was found that the General Zionist representation was second in strength only to the Mapai Party, despite the fact that this was the first time that the General Zionists have entered the lists in a purely labor election.
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