When I pointed out that there are thousands who have requested permission and have not been permitted to leave. he admitted that this is so but gave two reasons: First. that the Soviet Union wants to be sure that Jews going to Israel realize the danger in that area of the world and second. that the Soviet Union does not want to provide Israel with a military advantage. . I spoke at some length with Jews at the Moscow Synogogue where last Saturdays service was well attended. They. and the Americans in Moscow I met with. indicated that. at the very least. 300.000 or 10 percent of the Soviet Jewish population would emigrate if allowed. It Is remarkable that so many Soviet Jews have publicly defied the Soviet authorities by demanding the right to emigrate. We saw what happened when the world outside caused the Soviet authorities to commute the death sentences in the recent hijacking case. I believe that the continued pressure of world opinion will ultimately help to free the prisoners and permit the exodus of Jews from the Soviet Union.
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emigrate