The broad support in the Senate for helping to resettle the Soviet Jews in Israel is a reflection of the deep commitment of the American people to helping those in need. The hundreds of thousands of Soviet Jews arriving in Israel have become a worldwide symbol of freedom of religion and freedom from persecution. The United States has a responsibility to help them fulfill their dream of "next year in Jerusalem." For decades. the United States made free emigration a high priority in our relations with the Soviet Union. Since 1974. normal trade relations were linked to a demand that the Soviets let their people go. Advocates of human rights throughout the world wrote letters and engaged in protests and demonstrations in defense of the thousands of Soviet dissidents and refuseniks who were denied permission to choose where they wanted to make their home.
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emigration