Jon Kovac, the Rumanian Ambassador to Israel, has angrily denied press reports here that-Rumanian Jews seeking to immigrate to Israel were experiencing difficulties and delays in getting their exit permits from the Rumanian authorities. “Such reports do not contribute to the promotion of Israeli-Rumanian relations,” the envoy said at a press conference here several days ago. Rumania is the only Eastern European Communist bloc country that maintains normal diplomatic ties with Israel.
The Ambassador said there are an estimated 25,000 Jews in Rumania but since every Rumanian citizen has the right to define his own ethnic affiliation, the exact number is unknown. Many Rumanian Jews have registered themselves as members of the Rumanian nation, he said.
It was learned, meanwhile; that at least three Israeli delegations will attend the 12th convention of the Rumanian Communist Party which opens in Bucharest this week. They represent the Labor Party Mapam and Rakah.
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