As one who has participated in this effort for a number of years now. I am pleased that we finally have some cause for optimism. This year there has been a fairly dramatic rise in the number of Soviet Jews granted exit visas. I am hopeful that the recent liberalization of Soviet emigration policy is more than just an aberration. In my view. the Soviets decision to allow an increase in Jewish emigration is. more than anything else. proof that our efforts in behalf of the refuseniks have not been in vain. A few years ago. it seemed as if we were shouting into the darkness. Soviet authorities turned a deaf ear to pleas from the West that Jews be allowed to practice their beliefs in peace. and that those desiring to leave the Soviet Union be granted exit visas. It was commonplace to hear grim news about the closing of synagogues. the persecution of Hebrew teachers. and cruel. discriminatory treatment of Jews who sought nothing more than the freedom to carry on their religious tradition. Most of those subjected to this kind of treatment had nowhere to go.
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emigration visas