The visit of a West German teacher to a Jerusalem elementary classroom, which had been approved by the Israel Ministry of Education, evoked sharp exchanges today in a question and answer period in the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament. It will be the subject of a full Knesset debate.
Mrs. Esther Naor, a Herut deputy, criticized the Education Ministry for approving the visit which, like other manifestations of Israel-West German cultural exchanges, she said contradicted efforts to increase awareness of Israeli youth of the Nazi holocaust which befell the Jewish people.
Education Minister Abba Eban replied that his Ministry acted on the matter of the visit within the general policy lines of the Israel Government regarding relations with West Germany. He suggested that any debate should be directed to this wider question. He added that the West German teacher had a known anti-Nazi past and that there was no reason to reject his request to visit the classrooms.
Mr. Eban’s reply was interrupted by Herut and Communist deputies who in turn were shouted down by deputies from the Mapai bench. The proposal for a full debate was approved by a 28 to 22 vote.
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