Mr. Speaker. today I have learned the distressing news that Soviet officials are charging Lev Elbert. a Jewish refusenik who has applied to emigrate to Israel without success since 1976. with possession of a large quantity of hashish. This represents a despicable attempt by the Soviet prison authorities to heap even further harassment and suffering on the Elbert family whose only crime is the desire to be reunited with their family in Israel. and practice their religion and culture in a free society. They cannot do so in Kiev. Prior to this trumpedup charge of hashish possession. Lev Elbert had already been sentenced to a 1year prison term for refusing to be inducted into the Soviet Army. I call upon the Soviet Government to bring an immediate end to the persecution of Lev Elbert and his family. and to allow the family to emigrate to Israel. There can be no legitimate reason for them not to do so. Continued intransigence in this matter will demonstrate incredible cruelty on the part of the Soviet authorities. and sets back their quest for legitimacy in the international community.*
Keywords matched
emigrate