Informed sources here reported today that the Israel government, reversing an earlier decision, has barred Israeli, firms from importing cement from the Soviet Union.
The sources said that top-level consultations took place this week at which it was decided, contrary to the previous position to allow such imports informally, that trade with the USSR would be impolitic at this time. The sources said the government felt that such trading, at a time when Israel and Jews are pressing the Soviet for unrestricted emigration for Soviet Jews, would be unwise and might hamper the aliya campaign. It was believed that Premier Golda Meir was involved in the decision.
The new development followed conflicting reports on such trade. Despite a Soviet denial that any Russian cement would be sold to Israel for construction of “fortifications.” officials reported yesterday that agents from a number of countries had come to Israel to offer cement to Israeli firms.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
