I rise to call to the attention of my colleagues the unfortunate plight of Viktor and Batsheva Yelistratov. who have been repeatedly denied permission to leave the Soviet Union. Their tragic story Is representative of Soviet treatment of Jews and the numerous human righs violations committed against them by the Communists. The Yelistratovs first applied for an exit visa in 1972. and because of this application. Viktor was fired from his Job as a translator of foreign publications. Ever since that time. Viktor has moved from menial job to menial Job. and the Soviets have subjected Viktor and his wife. Batsheva. to continued harassment and persecution. Although over the last decade the Communists have tried to prohibit the Yelistratovs from practicing their religion and from helping other refuseniks. with actions including arrests. imprisonments. beatings. wiretaps. and threats of sending them to the East. the Soviets have been unable to crush their spirit. their determination to emigrate to Israel. and their selfless and fearless assistance to others who are also harassed by the Communists. Their dedication is a source of strength and inspiration for all refusenik families living in the Soviet Union. and all freedomloving people throughout the world. The Communists have consistently denied the Yelistratovs permission to emigrate to Israel on the false grounds that Viktor held a job with a secret classification and had access to military secrets. Viktors closest access to any military secrets was his 2 years of service in the Soviet Army as a radio engineer from 1968 to 1970. This was over 12 years ago. so such a reason given by the Soviets is clearly a poor excuse for prohibiting the Yelistratovs from leaving the country.
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emigrate visa