Leftists in Israel Warned on Contact with Soviet Embassy

Leaders of the leftists parties in Israel were put on notice today that if their contacts with the Soviet Embassy go beyond the usual courtesies, they will not be absolved of “responsibility.”

The warning was voiced by Israel’s Foreign Minister Golda Meir in the Knesset in answer to a question on contact which Soviet Embassy personnel here are making with public figures, particularly with leaders of the leftist groups.

Mrs. Meir said that the Israel Government places no limitations on such contacts. She emphasized that it is the regular practice in democratic countries to permit contact with foreign embassies. However, she expressed the hope that these contacts would not go beyond the usual courtesies and would not constitute intervention in Israel’s internal affairs. If they go further than the accepted usage, she stressed, the Israelis will be held responsible for their actions.

Mrs. Meir was also asked whether she had moved against Mapai deputies Meir Argov and David Hacohen for statements they had made abroad while members of a Parliamentary delegation, Mr. Argov said that Israel would consider establishing diplomatic relations with Spain. This remark, Mrs. Meir said, was not censurable within the context of Israel’s announced readiness to extend its relations to all countries regardless of their internal regimes.

Mr. Hacohen’s statement in London that Israel could not rely on France as an ally had no repercussions in the three months since he made it, the Foreign Minister noted, except in the Israeli press. Though the members of the Parliamentary delegation had been briefed by Foreign Ministry personnel before they went abroad she said, their remarks in public abroad did not constitute official declarations of Israel policy.