Thousands paid their last tribute to David Zvi Pinkas, Minister of Communications, as his body lay in state here in the former Parliament building and then in the procession to the Old Cemetery where he was laid to rest near the tombs of his parents.
Acting President Josef Sprinzak, Premier David Ben Gurion and other members of the government, the Parliament and the Tel Aviv Municipal Council, marched in the funeral procession. An honor guard of the Israeli defense forces was mounted around the bier all night and provided an escort for the coffin to the cemetery. Chief Rabbi Unterman of Tel Aviv eulogized the Mizrachi member of the Cabinet when the funeral procession halted near the Great Synagogue.
Meanwhile, Premier Ben Gurion today temporarily assumed the Communications portfolio until a successor to Mr. Pinkas is named. Under a recently enacted law, a successor can be appointed without the government having to go to the Knesset for a new vote of confidence.
The most likely candidate for the post was said to be Dr. Aaron Barth, a banker and leader of the Mizrachi, but his health is believed to rule him out of consideration. The vacancy will be discussed at a meeting of the government coalition. Rabbi Y.S. Rosenberg, a recent arrival from the United States, is expected to be named to succeed Mr. Pinkas as a member of the Mizrachi group in Parliament.
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