יומנים > יומן - מלא 03/03/1949

[Thursday,] March 3, 1949

This morning at 10 I summoned the “nominated” government. I read out the basic outline for the government plan. There was a debate. Unimportant comments were made. It was agreed that a draft would be prepared for each member and [we] would discuss and make a final decision on Monday morning.

         I also proposed working procedures for the government. Eventually a “crisis” erupted with M. Shapira – on transferring the intelligence and broadcasting service to the Prime Minister’s Office. I announced that I would no longer handle the question of composition if Shapira withdraws. He promised to give his answer by 8 p.m.

         – The Histadrut elections as of March 2 (a few thousand votes remain to be counted) – In Tel Aviv 31,790, of which: A – 19,623 – 59.83%, M – 9,424 – 29.64%; P. – 1,207 – 3.8%; K – 1,151 – 3.6%; Sh. – 985 – 3.1%; Haifa 25,372: of which: A – 15,420 – 60.77%; M – 7,738 – 30.49%; P – 776 – 3.06%; K – 947 – 3.74%; Sh – 491 – 1.92%; Jerusalem 8,029 of which: A – 5,335 – 66.44%; M – 1,494 – 18.6%; P 446 – 5.58%; K – 237 – 2.96%; Sh – 515 – 6.42%; Ramat Gan 5,176 of which: A – 2,791 – 53.93%; M – 1,981 – 38.22%; P – 143 – 2.76%; K – 167 – 2.23%; Sh – 94 – 1.81%; Nesher 829, of which: A – 553 – 66.72%; M – 253 – 30.51%; P – 3; K – 6; Sh – 14. Tiberias 895, of which: A – 653 – 82.97%; M – 195 – 21.79%; P – 17; K – 21, Sh – 9. ‘Afula 969, A – 613 – 63.26%; M – 238 – 24.56%; P – 3, K – 19, Sh – 96 – 9.91; Safed 345, of which: A – 189 – 54%; M – 81 – 23%; K – 74; Sh – 1; Nahariya 509 of which: A – 285 – 56%, M – 176 – 34%; P – 20, K – 27, Sh – 1. Acre [Akko] 100, A – 61, M – 34, P – 4, K – [blank]; Sh – 1.

         Cities (total) 74,014, of which A – 44,923 – 60.7%; M – 21,614 – 29.2%; P – 2,621 – 3.54%; K – 2,649 – 3.58%; Sh – 2,207 – 2.98%.

         In the moshavot and [collective and cooperative] settlements 63,784, of which A – 33,730 – 52.89%; M – 25,768 – 40.39%; P – 2,585 – 4%; K – 976 – 1.5%; Sh – 725 – 1.14%.

         In total 137,798, A – 78,653 – 57.08%; M – 47,387 – 34.38%; P – 5,206 – 3.76%; K – 3,625 – 2.63%; Sh – 2,932 – 2.13%.

         Soldiers’ count as of March 2: 22,961, of which A – 12,318 – 53.65%; M – 8,710 – 37.93%; P – 775 – 3.37%; K – 802 – 3.49%; Sh – 356 – 1.56%.

         The coalition that was established today (if Shapira doesn’t destroy it) has 75 delegates. We are 46+2; Progressives 5+1; Sephardim 4; Front 16+1. In percentages: we have 64%; the Front 22.6%; Rosenblüth 8%, the Sephardim 5.3%; in the government we have 58.3%; the Front 25%; Rosenblüth 8.3%; Sheetrit 8.3%.

         – In the evening a consultation with Yigael [Yadin], Ya’akov [Dori], and Moshe [Sharett] regarding Operation Yatziv [later renamed Operation Uvda]. They’ll seize positions in ‘Ein Gedi, on the road to Ras Zuweira [Rosh Zohar], near ‘Ein Weibeh [‘Ein Yahav], and near Bir Milhan (?) – about 20 or 25 km north of Eilat, on a plateau west of the ‘Arava.

         The question was: What if they clash with the Legion’s forces? With the English? Clearly [we] must not fight against the English, but if they invade our territory, [we] must immediately bring the matter before the Security Council. But seizing a position near Eilat is so important and decisive that the risk of a violent confrontation with the Legion must be taken, on the condition that it doesn’t turn into a real war (in which the English participate). Instructions along this line were given to the Staff.

         – Shapira came. He’s “coming to terms” but wants the Ministry of [Immigrant] Absorption to remain a “ministry” – because it’s inconceivable that the State of Israel wouldn’t have a ministry of immigration. I agreed on the condition that this “ministry” doesn’t appoint officials in places where the work would be completed by district officials.

         In the meantime he tried to “extort” my consent to turning the Knesset’s deputy chairmanship into a presidency. I told him I wouldn’t intervene. The Knesset established a chairman and two deputies, not a presidency.