Israel-Soviet relations were reviewed today during a 90-minute meeting between Premier Levi Eshkol and Soviet Ambassador Mikhail Bodrov. The meeting was held at the Premier’s request and was the first between them since the Premier took office.
The situation of the Soviet Jews was understood to have been brought up, as well as the problem of Israel-Soviet trade relations which have been at a virtual standstill since the 1956 Sinai action by Israel.
The timing of the meeting was seen as related to the currently improved East-West relations signalized by the agreement on a limited nuclear test ban. The Premier has expressed the hope that the improvement would also have an impact on the Middle East.
It was assumed that the Premier raised with the Soviet envoy the question of the continued flow of Soviet arms into Arab countries which has spurred a dangerous arms race and higher tensions in the area and set back any prospects for an Arab-Israel peace.
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