Justice Minister Haim Zadok who returned from an extended visit to the U.S. reported last night that there were no basic differences between Washington and Jerusalem on the Palestinian question. Although Zadok was primarily on a fund-raising mission, he met with several high ranking U.S. officials, including Under-secretary of State for Political Affairs Joseph J. Sisco.
He told reporters that Israelis exaggerated the possibility of a shift in American policy toward the Palestine Liberation Organization. He said his meeting with Sisco made it clear that the U.S. understood Israel’s determination not to have any dealings with the PLO and its reasons for refusing to take part in the Jan. 12 Security Council debate on the Middle East to which the PLO has been invited.
Zadok, who was absent from the last few Cabinet meetings, told reporters that he regarded leaks of classified material from Cabinet sessions and from various ministries as a crime that demanded vigorous investigation. He said the leaks prevented a fair discussion of major issues by the Cabinet.
Zadok also criticized Cabinet members who publicly expressed their disagreement with certain government policies. He said a minister had the right to take issue privately with his colleagues but no right to sit in the Cabinet and at the same time criticize or try to frustrate government policy in statements to the media. Such a minister should resign. Zadok said.
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