Mr. Speaker. there has been a significant increase in physical violence and brutality directed toward Jews in the Soviet Union over the past year. This repression. consisting of extended confinement in labor camps. severe beatings. religious intolerance and denials of exit visas. has been conducted solely because these individuals choose to practice their Jewish faith. and has been "Justified" by irrelevant charges and accusations. In addition. Soviet authorities appear to have begun a systematic attack on Hebrew educators because of what they see as a threat from a new generation of activists bent on maintaining Jewish cultural and religious life in the Soviet Union. I am particularly disturbed by the Soviet Governments steppedup restrictions on emigration. Last year. only 896 Jews were allowed to leave the country. making 1984 the worst in terms of Jewish emigration levels since 1970. And these figures are no fluke. The 1984 total. which amounted to less than 2 percent of the 1979 peak year emigration figure of 51.320. suggests that the Soviets have now effectively closed the gates. In the meantime. hundreds of thousands of Soviet
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emigration visas