State Department Feels Resumption of Israel-ussr Diplomatic Relations Favorable Step

State Department officials said today that they would view the resumption of diplomatic relations between Israel and the Soviet Union as a favorable development. Charles Bray, State Department spokesman, commenting on reports that the Soviet Union and Israel were putting out feelers on the possibility of resuming diplomatic relations, said the matter was “clearly a matter between the governments and the United States is not involved in any way.” he declined further comment. (The New York Times reported today that according to foreign diplomats, Israel and the Soviet Union were sounding each other out “through various channels” on the possibility of resuming diplomatic relations, broken by Moscow during the 1967 Six-Day War. According to Times reporter Tad Szulc, informed diplomats described Israel as ready to welcome Soviet approaches. However the soundings reportedly have not yet reached the diplomatic stage.)