Speech #980271343

Yuli Edelshtein. Yakov Goroetaky and Yakov Levin indicate an intensifica. tion of the Soviet campaign against the Jewish culture. The downward trend in the number of Jews that have been allowed to emigrate has continuedthe number has dwindled from 1.086 for 1983 to 652 for the first 8 months of this year. The Importance of the plight of Soviet Jews must be stressed to the leaders of the Soviet Union. The American people and the leaders of this country cannot ignore the persecution of the Soviet Jews and other minorities who are penalized for their religious beliefs. Soon we will be returning to our congressional district. However. I encourage my coleagues to keep the plight of these "refuseniks" in mind and join me in continuing to urge the Soviet leaders to free the arrested Hebrew teachers and to allow Soviet Jews the right. to practice their religion and to emigrate.o