Speech #980214778

The triumphant SixDay War in 1967 inspired their pride in being Jewish. inspired them to learn or in some cases teach Hebrew. inspired them to practice their religion more openly. They were inspired to think of living freely as Jews. to dream of Israel. Finally. they were inspired to apply for exist visas. The way out of the Soviet Union has never been easy for Soviet Jewry. Since 1970. emigration figures have risen and fallen in waves. The consequences of applying for an exit visa are many: Dismissal from employment. ostracism and harassment. the risk of punitive military service. the precarious existence to which refuseniks are condemned. the constant threat of arrest and imprisonment on trumpedup charges. But since 1979. the high water mark for Soviet Jewish emigration. these consequences have grown more severe. The "AntiZionist Committee of the Soviet Public" is only a thin disguise for the most virulent antisemitism. International mail and telephone communications have been restricted. beginning August 1. prepaid parcels will no longer be accepted. At just the time when life for the refuseniks is being made ever more intolerable. emigration has dropped to the lowest levels ever recorded. If the current rate continues. fewer than 1.000 Soviet Jews will leave the U.S.S.R. in all of 1985. Today. Mr. President. our thoughts dwell on the thousands upon thousands of Soviet Jews who are denied the right to practice their religion. to observe the traditions of Judaism. to emigrate: the Prisoners of Conscience. the refuseniks. the visa applicants and the wouldbe visa applicants. Many of them have names familiar to usSlepak. Brailovskii.