Israeli Relations With Eastern Bloc Are Deteriorating

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27038, 24 March 1949, Page 7

Israeli Relations With Eastern Bloc Are Deteriorating

NZPA Special Correspondent Rec. 11 p.m. LONDON, Mar. 23. Reporting the deterioration of relations between Israel and the countries of the eastern bloc, the Tel-Aviv correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says Hungary has ordered the expulsion of 10 Zionist instructors, who are said to be Israeli citizens. The correspondent points out that both Hungary and Rumania had previously banned all Zionist propaganda, including the teaching and learning of Hebrew, and that Poland and Czechoslovakia are believed to be preparing similar repressions. Officials of the Israeli legations in the eastern bloc complain they are being isolated and treated “just like the representatives of the Western Powers.” He adds that efforts are being made to reverse this anti-Zionist attitude among the Eastern States, but the Israelis are not hopeful of success. From New York it is reported that Israel has complained to the Security Council that the presence of British troops at Akaba was a violation of the Council’s resolution of May 29, 1948, and may have an adverse effect on the current armistice negotiations

between Israel and Transjordan. The resolution forbade the introduction of fighting personnel to any countries engaged in the Palestine conflict. The Israeli delegation issued a statement later saying that the reinforcement of British forces at Akaba last week was an aggravation of the original infringement, and the forces should be withdrawn promptly. The statement added that Israel was not asking the Council to take action at present. . » In Washington the Israeli Foreign Minister, Mr Moshe Sharett, complained to the United States Secretary of State, Mr Dean Acheson, that British troop movements in Transjordan jeopardised efforts to bring about peace in Palestine. Mr Sharett told reporters later that the British action completely changed the atmosphere. The British United Nations delegation at Lake Success said that the movement of British troops to Akabr was necessary because of the previour apparently aggressive intentions of Israeli forces. A spokesman em phasised that the British movement: were in line with long-standing treatj agreements with Transjordan, anc had been duly reported to the Unitec Nations.