Such an effort to build up antiJewish stereotypes in provincial Soviet newspapers. particularly in the Ukraine. White Russia. and other regions known for historic antiSemitic feelings is not a happenstance in a governmentcontrolled press like that of the U.S.S.R. A number of Jewish religious leaders have been sentenced to long terms of imprisonment on charges of communicating with the Israel Embassy in Moscow in an obvious effort to discourage any hope any Soviet Jews may have had of emigrating to Israel. It is an irony of history that Jews who once were driven out of Russia in vast numbers should now be deprived of the right of emigration and held captive in this way. Along with these measures. the Soviet antireligious drive has been stepped up against all religious groups but hitting especially hard at Jews. alleging the use of synagogues for black market profiteering and other subversive activities. Synagogues have been padlocked on flimsy pretexts. and just this week. on the eve of the high holy days. the only remaining synagogue in Mins. once a great Jewish cultural center. was shut down permanently.
Identified stereotypes
Anti-Jewish stereotypes in provincial Soviet newspapers.