Hebrew teachers have had their houses raided. their religious and Hebrew articles and books confiscated. and in several cases have been sentenced to prisons or labor camps. This would appear to be part of a state campaign to encourage Jews to leave. However. when Jews oblige by applying for an exit visa. they are refused and the repression and persecution intensify. The Soviet Union has denied exit visas to over 15.000 refuseniks. some of whom have been waiting 15 years to emigrate. Harassment of refuseniks and their families includes repeated questioning by authorities. firing or demotion. expulsion from universities and professional institutions. and conscription of refusenik youth. who after serving 2 or 3 years In the military. often must wait an additional 5 years before they can apply for exit visas. We are all pleased that the Soviet Union allowed Anatoly Shcharansky to leave for Israel. but the situation for Soviet Jews remains unchanged. The best thing that could happen would be for the Soviets to allow Jews to preserve their heritage and practice their religion free from interference or persecution. Since that is highly unlikely. the least the Soviets can do is live up to Its international commitments and allow those who wish to emigrate if the want to do so.
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emigrate visas visa