We have seen from press coverage and personal accounts that the deprivation of human rights has reached a level which can no longer be tolerated by a large number of the Jewish community. The Soviet Jews attitude to the system and leadership is no longer one of silent tolerance or acceptance. They have openly challenged the system. staging sitins. actively demonstrating. and circulating petitions outlining their status and appealing for emigration rights. Although the Soviet regime does not appear to have changed its domestic policies regarding the Jewish minority. it has within the past year allowed an unprecedented number of Jews to emigrate. However. the right to emigrate is often difficult to achieve without personal harassment. possible imprisonment. and even physical harm. This recent upsurge in emigration. is again. a very encouraging action. for we can interpret it as being in response not only to international concern and pressure but also in response to the demands being made by activist Jews in the Soviet Union. I believe that continued nonviolent pressure by private individuals as well as expressions of concern by governments will continue to have an effect on the Soviet leadership. My colleagues and I in the Congress are continually reminded of the Jewish problem in the Soviet Union and have introduced nunerous bills and resolutions expressing our concern and urging that steps be taken to persuade the Soviet Union to liberalize its policies regarding human freedoms as well as emigration. President Nixons upcoming trip to the Soviet Union may well be a unique opportunity to express the concern of the U.S. Government and to urge the Soviets to temper their policies toward its Jewish citizens. I firmly believe that we must continue to pressure the Soviet Government in the hope that this will result in the Jewish minority being able to live in peace and freedom in the Soviet Union. and that those wishing to emigrate may be allowed to do so without fear.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration