Prime Minister David Ben Gurion’s attendance of a reception at the Soviet Embassy last Thursday night was seen here today as a gesture at once rejecting Soviet charges against Israel and, at the same time, holding out the hand of friendship.
Soviet missions throughout the world celebrated the 41st anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution on Friday night of last week. Here, however, the Russian Embassy held its celebration on Thursday night, in deference to the Sabbath. That fact by itself seemed significant to many diplomats.
Some diplomats thought that, by being at the party, Mr. Ben Gurion was, in effect, replying to recent charges by Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei A. Gromyko that Israel was under Anglo-American “imperialist” influence and was mobilizing troops to invade Jordan. By his presence at the Soviet party, it is held, Mr. Ben Gurion implied that the country is tranquil and Illustrated his willingness to be friendly with all big powers.
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