Deprivation of academic standing is yet another form of torment. A number of educators have been stripped of their degrees and/or excluded from academic associations. This professional harassment cannot be seen as anything but an act of psychological warfare on the part of the Soviet Government with the intent of deterring further emigration applicants. Still another act of contempt against hopeful emigrants is the practice of overt violence and physical attacks. The case last year of Yakov Mesh is a striking one. though by no means isolated. Mesh was beaten up by KGBmen in civilian clothes in the presence of a number of people. A statement signed by nine witnesses asserted that Mesh had not offered any resistancealthough he was then charged with resisting authoritiesand that there had been no apparent cause for the attack on him. Mesh has been awaiting permission to emigrate for 7 years. Mr. Speaker. perhaps the cruelest form of harassment against Jews seeking emigration is the persecution leveled against their children. In T.V. broadcasts. on the radio. in the press. and during lessons at school. more attention is devoted to Israel than to any other country. even the United States. They instill into the children that Israel is a synonym for inhumanity and cruelty and that Zionism is a form of fascism.
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emigrate emigration emigrants