Israeli officials expressed great satisfaction today with a statement issued yesterday by the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France condemning the Soviet education head tax demanded of Jews seeking to emigrate. The officials noted that the statement, by a forum of major significance, came at a time when the Soviet Union is interested in fostering closer ties with Europe.
The statement expressed “grave concern at the intended practice of the (Soviet) government to demand reimbursement by Soviet citizens taking up permanent residence abroad of State expenses in their education.” The statement pointed out that the Soviet measure was “all the more regrettable in view of the forthcoming conference on European security and cooperation which is to deal, among other things, with the free movement of ideas, information and persons between East and West.” The Council statement urged all member governments to “make fresh representations” to Moscow to abolish the visa head tax
A hand grenade was thrown at an Israeli civilian vehicle in Raffah this morning. No casualties were reported. Security forces are investigating the incident.
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