For the first time in the 50year history of the Soviet Union. a group of its citizens has dared to challenge the Government. This is not an isolated confrontation as has happened on occasion by freedomloving individuals and intellectuals. Rather. it is a position taken by thousands of Jews who have requested visas to leave the Soviet Union. More than 70.000 affidavits have been sent from Israel to Soviet Jews seeking exit permits. Hundreds of others are watching to see what happens to their countrymen who have dared to challenge the Soviet authorities. As it has been pointed out so well in the report. those who apply for exit permits. Jews who seek to emigrate to Israel are harassed and mistreated and they lose their jobs. Their children are dismissed from college. if they happen to be there. Some are confined to jail and some are confined to mental institutions. In many cases the Soviet postal authorities have refused or have failed to deliver affidavits from relatives in Israel. who must acknowledge applications for exit permits. Those who receive their visas to leave the Soviet Union must first pay the equivalent of $1.000 per person before they can leave the country. Mr. Speaker. this is indeed an important resolution because the pressure of world opinion must be brought to bear upon this problem.
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emigrate visas