Evening star., 1953-02-14
Israel and the KremIin

The severance OF SOviet-ISraeh diplomatic
relations has not come as startling surprise.
It has been openly In the making ever since the
puppet Czech Communist regime, at the Prague
treason trials last November cut loose against
"Zionism" and drew lurid pictures Of q vast
international Jewish conspiracy" aimed at
overthrowing all the peoples democracies" be-
hind the Iron Curtain-a conspiracy in which
sabotage, espionage and murder allegedly were
being used to help the "warmongering Anglo
American imperialists" achieve domination Of
the globe.
In the weeks that have passed since the
Prague "trials," this propaganda theme has
been played and replayed, with ever increasing
force, in every part Of Stains empire having
Jewish minority. As far as Russia itself Is con-
cerned, the poisonous music has been presented
with particular virulence In connection with
the recent arrest Of nine prominent Moscow
doctors tnnost Of them Jews) accused Of acting
as Anglo-American agents In fantastic plot
to kill on the political and military leaders OF
the Soviet Union. Thus, speaking through its
magazine New Times little more than q fort
night ago, the Kremlin has gone on record with
q series Of extraordinarily vicious lies against
Israel Depicting that young country as center
OF dark conspiracy, the lies have charged Its top
authorities with waging "a cruel war Of de-
struction against the local Arab population in
Palestine" and have branded them as tools Of
Britain and the United States in q gigantic
undercover plan to establish bloody, Fascist
regimes" throughout the world.
Viewed against such background, the
diplomatic break between Moscow and Tel Aviv
certainly seems much less than astonishing.
The men Of the Kremlin, who have long been
infuriated by Israel'S position In the cold war,
apparently have been planning for some time
past to take this action at the nrst opportune
moment, and the moment has been supplied
by the terrorist bombing Of their legation. In
all probability, II that particular Incident had
not occurred, they would have soon pounced
upon something else to justify their decision
to sever relations fact indicated by their
refusal to accept an earnest Israeli apology and
by their absurd charge that Israeli police con-
nived in the crime. Accordingly. 1t Is not un-
reasonable to conclude that the Stain dictator
ship Is pleased to have matters stand as they
do now because Of belief that this fresh dis
play Of nti-semitism viii appeal to neo-Nazi
elements Ia Germany and to Arabs In the
Middle East and thus be helpful to the Soviet
Union In two Of the worlds most vital areas.
Further than that, the break with Israel
and other expressions Of anti -Semitisul--in ad-
dition to being tied in with the hate-America
campaign--may wen mean that the Kremlin
is anxious to offer up = scapegoat for internal
troubles within the Red empire and to set the
stage for terrible new blood purges IN which
azionists" viii be the chief victims IN any
event, whatever may be the situations precise
explanation, the portents look bad for Jews
behind the Iron Curtain. Hitler seems to be
undergoing grim reincarnation Ia the person
Of Stain.