Yosef Vered, Second Secretary at the Israel Legation in Bucharest, was declared persona non grata this week-end by the Rumanian Government and given 72 hours to leave the country. The Rumanian Government accused Mr. Vered of having persuaded Rumanian Jews to emigrate to Israel and had advised them how to go about it.
The Israeli Charge d’Affaires expressed surprise at Bucharest’s action and submitted a sharp protest over the deportation order. He denied the Rumanian charges that Mr. Vered had violated diplomatic practice.
The Israel Foreign Ministry, in denial, pointed out that it was Mr. Vered’s duty to receive applicants for immigration to Israel and to answer their questions about Israel, their welcome there and ways of going there. It was pointed out that he need not have persuaded anyone to emigrate, in view of the fact that there were thousands of Jews who came to the Legation seeking a way to be reunited with their families in Israel.
Mr. Vered’s activities were not contrary to practice, the Foreign Ministry continued. nor was he able to help the thousands of Rumanian Jews who applied for entrance to Israel. He was limited, it was noted, to explanations that Israel is prepared to welcome the would be immigrants, but permission for their leaving was in the sole province of the Rumanian Government.
Jacob Barmor, First Secretary at the Warsaw Legation, who was expelled last week by the Polish Government, arrived here this week-end. He refused to comment on his case.
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