The alleged failure by Israel to permit the return of former Iranian residents of this country and to restore their property to them is a serious threat to Iranian-Israel relations, Reza Safinia, special Iranian representative in Israel, is reported to have told Premier David Ben Gurion at their meeting here Wednesday.
In the course of their one-hour meeting, the Iranian diplomat is reported to have complained that of 280 Iranian Moslem nationals who fled from Palestine during the war in 1948, only 160 had been permitted to return and that the authorities had refused to restor their property. The Iranian diplomat is also said to have pointed out that Iran is granting asylum to thousands of Jewish refugees. He is said to have warned that de jure recognition and economic relations would depend on satisfactory settlement of this question. Mr. Ben Gurion reportedly promised a speedy investigation and action on this situation.
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