Both men have been trying for many years to join their wives and families in Israel. Mr. Speaker. these recent activities and the incarceration of Viktor Brailovsky are ominous signs of an official crackdown on the entire Soviet Jewish emigration movement. After a year of great hope in 1979. when over 50.000 Soviet Jews were allowed to emigrate. emigration was cut by more than half in 1980. I am still concerned that longterm refuseniks are being ignored. harassment of key Jewish teachers continues. and official Soviet policy toward Soviet Jews gives little hope for many who suffer from repression and the denial of their right to emigrate. Mr. Speaker. I was to give a statement yesterday in conjunction with the annual Call to Conscience Vigil. which enables Members of Congress to demonstrate their support for individuals and families who wish only the ability to emigrate to join the free world. The prisoner of conscience whom I chose for my statement exemplifies the courage and commitment of Soviet Jews. His current plight is representative of the extraordinary difficulties faced by these people.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration