Israel Places Civilian Matters in Occupied Territories Under Ministries

The Israel Cabinet today moved to shift the administration of the occupied Arab territories from military to civilian control. According to an announcement following today’s Cabinet meeting, all civilian matters in the occupied territories will in the future be handled by the ministries concerned, just as inside Israel proper. A ministerial committee headed by Prime Minister Levi Eshkol will coordinate overall policies. Security matters will remain the responsibility of the military government, the announcement said. But future contacts with the heads of local Arab communities will be made directly through the ministries rather than through the military government as here to fore. All public announcements concerning residents of the occupied areas will also be made by the ministries concerned. In dealing with the occupied territories, each ministry will act within the framework of its budget and parliamentary responsibility but will coordinate its activities with the military government, the announcement said.