Organization of a non-partisan committee for electoral reform, aimed at changing the present European type of direct proportional representation to the American-British type of constituency, was announced today.
The new committee, organized by former Army Chief of Staff Yigael Yadin, issued a public call for a national referendum on the proposed change. The committee includes Dr. Amos de Shalit, the famous physicist, and other non-party personalities.
The national election campaign is now in full swing with colorful posters and cartoons covering billboards and public meeting places throughout the country. Electric signs have been mounted at key points while every hall is booked until the last Saturday before election.
The Mapai Central Committee today approved the party’s platform for the forthcoming elections which are to take place on November 3. Major items in the platform include the introduction of constituency elections; the introduction of direct elections for mayors of cities and towns; secondary education for all who wish it; and the strengthening of the defense forces.
The Mapai platform also stresses mobilization of the country’s resources to enable the absorption of immigrants; a foreign policy supporting the United Nations Charter and peace with the Arabs based on recognition of their territorial sovereignty; friendship with all nations irrespective of their internal regimes; and the strengthening of ties with newly independent states.
The program of the Religious List demands that all legislation be based on the Torah and calls for the abrogation of the anti-traditional regulations concerning identity card registration. Other parties are expected to complete the phrasing of their platforms during this week.
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.
