The Israel Government’s 168 million pounds budget was adopted today in the Knesset after a grilling 34-hour debate by a vote of 48 to 36. The budget, largest in Israel’s history and first to include all security and defense expenditures, met with heated opposition and demands for a ten percent cut all along the line but the opposition failed to secure reductions.
The Knesset also adopted two amendments today to the Nationalities Law, the effect of which is to establish the principle of dual nationality in Israel.
The Knesset then adjourned for five weeks and will resume sessions on May 5. Summing up its achievements, Josef Sprinzak, the Speaker, said the parliament had done a “tremendous job” in accepting the budget and expressed hopes that it would help in consolidating the financial and economic situation of the country. He also stressed the significance of the Nationalities Law as a progressive piece of legislation.
Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett today assumed the post of Acting Prime Minister as Premier David Ben Gurion left Jerusalem on two weeks’ leave.
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