Top Israelis Press for Cancelation of ‘soviet Jewry Week’ Rallies

A number of personalities in the Government were reported today to be pressing the World Jewish Congress to postpone its “Soviet Jewry Week” program, in which rallies were scheduled for November to protest the plight of Soviet Jewry.

The pressure on the WJC stems from the belief that one of the main factors that prompted the Soviet Government to cancel the scheduled tour in Russia of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra was the planning of the “Soviet Jewry Week” protests by the Congress. In informing Israel of the cancelation of the orchestra tour, the Soviet Government complained about Israel’s alleged “anti-Soviet campaign.”

Israel Government personalities hope that, by canceling the event, certain improvements in Israel’s relations with the Soviet Union could be achieved, although the Philharmonic cancelation seems to be final. The organizing committee of the WJC’s “Soviet Jewry Week” is due to meet here tomorrow to make a final decision on the plans for the protest rallies.

Observers here believe that the cancelation of the Philharmonic tour was caused by Moscow’s desire to intimidate Soviet Jews and prevent any tendency toward a national awakening or contact with Israel and Israelis. The observers feel, however, that Israel would best serve the cause of USSR Jews by avoiding any possible provocation or pretext for further worsening Jerusalem-Moscow ties.

Meanwhile, Zvi Haftel, manager of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, who personally signed the contract with the Russians, said today that the orchestra has thus far received no notice of any cancelation from Gus — the official Soviet cultural impresario — and the orchestra therefore, still regards itself as bound by the contract to carry out the visit.

Mr. Haftel said that the contract has no clause making the execution of the pact conditional upon any government approval. He said there is also no clause concerning damages for non-performance, since it was certain that once Russia signed the agreement it had the Government’s blessings. He added that he would ask for clarification of the matter if he receives no note from the Soviet Union within the next few days.