What Makes Golda Run?

Publicly and privately, Golda Meir, 74, has long insisted that she does not want another term as Premier of Israel. Her decision to name her principal political adviser, Simcha Dinitz, as Ambassador to Washington underscored that insistence. Dinitz's appointment last November, which was opposed by Foreign Minister Abba Eban, was seen as an end-of-term gift to a loyal aide.

Now signs are pointing the other way. Mrs. Meir has offered Dinitz's for mer job as director general of the Prime Minister's office to Mordechai Gazit, who was her chief political adviser when she was Foreign Minister. Observers in Jerusalem, moreover, can think of at least three reasons why Golda would want to run again. One is that she is in generally good health and would have nothing to keep her busy if she retires. Another is that Mrs. Meir feels that only she can talk firmly to President Nixon during what may turn out to be a year of decision in the Mid dle East. Finally, she wants to forestall a bitter battle for the succession that might tumble Israel's tenuous governing coalition. Finance Minister Pinhas Sapir, her choice, is the Labor Party king maker but has no voter popularity; if she turned over the job to him midway through her next term, Sapir could make a reputation in office.

"Only God or Nixon can keep Gol da from running again," argued one Israeli politician last week. "God, for obvious reasons; Nixon, by suddenly forcing Israel to withdraw completely from the occupied territories."

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