U. N. Diplomats Predict Resumption of Israel-soviet Relations

Leading members of various delegations at the United Nations today expressed the opinion that the release of the 15 doctors in Moscow may be followed up by Soviet resumption of diplomatic relations with Israel which were broken off on February 12 at the height of the Moscow campaign against Jews as “agents of the American espionage system.”

These views coincide with opinions expressed in Washington by foreign diplomats that the Moscow move can be regarded as a Soviet gesture of peace toward Israel and Jews throughout the world. In expressing these opinions, the diplomats pointed out that Moscow had lost ground in the world as a result of its anti-Jewish campaign.

(A cable from Moscow to the New York Times today says that diplomatic observers there considered it possible that relations between the Soviet Union and Israel “might now be quickly set on the path of normalcy.”)

Israel’s Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett, who arrived in New York this weekend, will not seek an interview with Soviet delegate Andrei Vishinsky, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency understands. Reports were current here that the two may meet, but it is learned that the Israel Foreign Minister, who will shortly leave for a tour of Latin American countries, will not attend any of the meetings of the U.N. General Assembly now taking place here. He will, in all probability, leave New York within a few days for Washington where he will remain till the end of his visit in this country.

Upon his arrival in New York this week-end, Mr. Sharett made it clear to reporters at the airfield that the initiative for the resumption of Israel-Soviet relations will have to come from Moscow since it was the Soviet Government, and not Israel, which broke off relations.