President. on April 27 we marked the 49th birthday of Ida Nudel. a Soviet Jew who is a "Prisoner of Conscience." Currently. she lives in exile in Siberia. She has served 2 years of her 4year prison term for alleged "malicious hooliganism." Her true offense was simply hanging a banner proclaiming "KGB. Give Me My Visa." from her apartment balcony. She has suffered terribly because she expressed her desire to emigrate to Israel. Before she was arrested. Ida Nudel sent packages with vitamins. food. and letters of encouragement to prisoners. She visited those who had no families and tried to help all prisoners in whatever way she could. Because of her work. she earned the nickname "the Guardi:n Angel." It is important to put this occasion in a broader perspective. As Ida Nudel lives out the nightmare of her exile in Siberia. the Soviet Government continues to refuse visas to most of the persons who apply. In Moscow. in the first 3 weeks of February. 18 known Soviet Jews were given permission to leave the Soviet Union. At the same time. about 70 persons received refusals.
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emigrate visas Visa