The World Jewish Congress office here said today that Spain has authorized the first international meeting of Jewry since the expulsion of the Jewish community in 1492 at the height of the Spanish Inquisition. About 80 delegates from all over Western and Eastern Europe–with the exception of the Soviet Union–will attend a two-day session organized in Madrid this weekend by Spain’s 12,000-strong Jewish community.
King Juan Carlos, who will receive WJC President Nahum Goldmann during the meeting, appears to be anxious to create closer ties with Israel. But fears of an Arab oil boycott and restrictions on Spanish trade with Arab countries are likely to delay the establishment of diplomatic relations by Spain with the Jewish State.
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