Premier David Ben Gurion has made a number of approaches to the Progressive Party to join the government coalition, Progressive leader Pinchas Rosen revealed here today at a press conference. Mr. Rosen declared that his party had refused to join, demanding that the coalition be expanded to include the General Zionist Party, the second largest in the country.
Mr. Rosen reiterated this appeal today, calling on all parties in the government, particularly the Mapai, to “abandon narrow party bases” and mobilize all “progressive and creative forces in the country to save the country.” He suggested that the broadest possible government, except for the Herut and the Mapam, be organized.
The Progressive leader insisted that this is the “opportune hour” for establishing a broad national coalition “which will be able to adopt urgent salvation measures.” He said that party considerations must be submerged “since economic divergencies have narrowed almost to the minimum and a widening coalition can now act to save the situation.”
He forecast changes in the Ministries of Finance, Agriculture and Justice which would be more deep-seated than mere changes of Ministers. The government’s economic policy is “wavering,” he declared, adding that soon further changes will be forced by the “steadily deteriorating” economic situation. He stated that the public is not fully aware of the seriousness of the situation.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
