Soviets May Be Tampering with Mail from Israel Addressed to Relatives in Russia

Evidence that Soviet authorities may be tampering with mail from Israel addressed to Jews in Russia was disclosed here today by Joel Gang, a British delegate to the conference on Soviet Jewry who edits a news bulletin, “Focus on Soviet Jewry.” Gang said he received a telephone call this morning from a Moscow Jew, Yuri Slapak, who informed him that he and 30 other young Jews presented a petition to the Supreme Soviet today. Gang said that according to Slapak, one of the complaints contained in the petition was that official invitation forms to come to Israel were missing from letters received by Jews from Israeli relatives although the letters all said that the forms were enclosed. Jews seeking exit visas from Soviet authorities must submit documentary proof that they have relatives in Israel and have been invited to go there.

Another complaint contained in the petition hinted that some Soviet Jewish families may be divided over going to Israel. The petitioners said that the Ovir, the office which deals with exit visas, caused them difficulty by demanding permission from their parents to go to Israel. They said the demand was irritating and involved their parents unnecessarily. According to Gang, Slapak said a high Russian official told the petitioners that their complaints would be answered through the news media at the end of March. He was apparently referring to the Communist Party Congress at which references are likely to be made to the Soviet Jewish problem, Gang said.