Franco-israeli Events Marred by Strained Relations Between the Two Nations

The city of Jerusalem paid tribute today to a French war hero by naming a street after him, but the strained relations between Israel and France cast a shadow over that event and over others scheduled to take place later this month in connection with the dedication of the new French House on the Hebrew University campus. The street was named after the late Gen. Pierre Koenig, a leader of the French resistance during World War II and a staunch advocate of Franco-Israeli friendship up to the time of his death last year.

A high ranking delegation from Paris headed by Alain Poher, president of the French Senate attended the street-naming event. Poher, who spoke at the dedication, said relations between France and Israel were friendly, apparently meaning on a people-to-people basis. But Transport Minister Shimon Peres, another speaker, said relations between the two governments were strained, though he believed they would improve in the future.

At a press conference here this morning, unrelated to the Koenig ceremonies, Foreign Minister Abba Eban criticized French policy toward Israel and the refusal of the French Foreign Minister to visit Israel. Eban also criticized French objections to having Mayor Teddy Kollek of Jerusalem speak at the opening of a Paris exhibition at the Jerusalem Municipal Theater later this month.

That upcoming event is scheduled to take place when the Comedies Francaise, a French national troupe, appears at the theater. Kollek is due to hold a reception after the performance. But objections were raised in Paris lest Kollek’s role be construed as recognition by the French government of Israel’s sovereignty over united Jerusalem. Kollek said today “We will not let them insult us,” but added that there was time to settle the dispute.

Poher and his party arrived at Lydda Airport last night and were met by Acting Knesset Speaker Itzhak Navon. Poher evaded questions by newsmen on French policy toward Israel. He said, however, that “all of us who have come here tonight agree that it is in the interests of France to maintain constant good relations with Israel and this is the opinion of a large majority in France and in the Senate.”