Eshkol Clarifies Cabinet Decision on Transfer of Jabotinsky’s Remains

The Government of Israel has given formal approval to a transfer of the remains of Vladimir Jabotinsky, the Revisionist-Zionist founder, from the United States to Israel, for reinterment, it became evident today after two days of talks on the matter. The Government’s affirmative stand became certain after a second meeting between Premier Levi Eshkol and Prof. Eri Jabotinsky, son of the late Revisionist leader.

During the interval between the two meetings, the Premier consulted with various Ministers and heads of the government coalition parties. Yesterday he told Prof. Jabo-tinsky that the Government’s decision of March 15 constituted an instruction by the Government to the possessors of Jabotinsky’s will to transfer the remains in accordance with that will. The late leader had declared in that will, dated November 3, 1935, that he wanted to be buried by a Jewish Government in a Jewish State.

The Eshkol statement to Prof. Jabotinsky seemed to fulfill that request, since it meant that the Government gave instructions for the transfer of the remains to Israel; The initial reaction of the Herut Party to the Government decision was that the wording seemed to make the decision a matter of “aiding” the Jabotinsky family, rather than an acceptance of the conditions of the will.

After the second meeting with the Premier, Prof. Jabotinsky conferred with veteran members of the Herut and the Revisionist movement at the home of Menahem Beigin, head of Herut. There, Prof. Jabotinsky said he had told the Premier that he had accepted the Governments instruction, and would bring his father’s remains to Israel.

A special committee was being formed today to consider all details of the transfer and the funeral to be held in Israel. A delegation will leave soon for the United States and make necessary arrangements. The Herut Party head said that the Premier “has done a great thing, and I thank him wholeheartedly.”