We are only too well aware of the thousands of cases like Isaak Shkolniks. Following the Six Day War in 1967. Isaak Shkolnik decided to pursue his lifelong dream to emigrate to Israel with his family. The required invitations from relatives in Israel never reached Isaak until they were presented as evidence against him at his trial on the charges of "hooliganism" and disloyalty to the Soviet Union. The documents were used again later as the basis for the charge that Isaak was an Israeli spy. When Isaak refused to abandon his request to emigrate to Israel. he was sentenced to 10 years in prison. After worldwide outcry the sentence was reduced to 7 years. While serving that time. Isaaks wife and daughter were granted exit visas and left for Israel. Following his release. Isaak once again applied for his exit visa. He is still waiting. As recently as March. immigration authorities told Isaak that he had no chance of receiving the visa anytime soon. He has not seen his family in 10 years. It is cases such as the Shkolnik familys that remind us of the importance of our work.
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emigrate immigration visas visa