The oppressive conditions under which Jews in the Soviet Union are forced to live have been a matter of great concern to me ever since they were dramatically brought to our attention last year with the trial and sentencing of nine Jews in Leningrad for allegedly planning to hijack an airplane in an attempt to leave the Soviet Union. Although Soviet officials. apparently induced by world opinion. did commute the death sentences of the nine "hijackers." the continuing persecution and repression which the Soviet Jews are experiencing have not abated. It appears that the more than 3 million Jews in the Soviet Union are undergoing an organized and purposeful effort on the part of the Soviet Government to extinguish their Jewish culture and religion and as a result they are very well in danger of becoming what some of my colleagues have termed as "the lost tribe of Israel." Estimates are that 300.000 or more Jews have applied for exit visas from the Soviet Union. We also know that upon taking this action they are being subjected to increased pressures and harassment. I recently had the opportunity to listen to two ladies who were permitted to leave the Soviet Union tell firsthand of the vicious discrimination against Soviet Jews and the suppression of the Jewish identity and religion by the Soviet Government. They stated that the only thing which influences the Soviets and will help the Jews in that country is world opinion. Therefore. I am cosponsoring this resolution and urging the House to act affirmatively thereon in order that our President and other world leaders. including the Soviets. will know of the Congress earnest concern and plea for more humane treatment of the Jewish people by the Russian Government. including relaxation of emigration policies for those desiring to leave the country.
Keywords matched
emigration visas