During the past year we have sought to bring wider attention to such notable cases as Dr. Yuri Tarnopolsky and Dr. Iosif Begun. who have sought permission from the Soviet authorities to emigrate to Israel. We have written to General Secretary Andropov and requested that Soviet Jews be given the minimum human rights provided for in the Helsinki Accords. We have protested the Soviet AntiZionist Committees slanderous and preposterous allegations that Jews promoted Nazism during the Second World War. and categorically rejected their assertion that Jewish family reunion has essentially been completed. During recent years there appears to have been a hardening of the official Soviet attitude toward Jews. a trend that must be reversed. The number of Soviet Jews allowed to emigrate has dropped dramatically in the past 5 years. and the treatment of refuseniks has grown harsher. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the efforts of the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island on behalf of Soviet Jewry. The right of Jews to maintain their Jewish identity. to emigrate to Israel or other countries of their choice. to live within the rights accorded other religious and national minority groups. is a goal that we share with the Federation. It is imperative that all Americans join in condenming religious persecution and in recognizing that by remaining silent. we too become culpable..
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