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Soviet Govt. Tolerates Anti-semitism in Russia, Sharett Asserts

February 15, 1961
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The existence of anti-Semitism in the Soviet Union, with official acquiescence, was reiterated last night by Moshe Sharett, former Prime Minister and now a member of the Jewish Agency executive. Speaking at a radio press conference, Mr. Sharett cited “anti-Semitic articles in the Soviet press which are official platforms.”

Mr. Sharett; replying to questions on emigration to Israel, said that there were countries on two continents where the masses of Jews wanted to leave but were forbidden by authorities to do so. This was understood to be a reference to the Soviet Union and Morocco.

He said that on two other continents, Jews were considering emigration not because of persecution or the threat of persecution but because of existing or incipient social changes in those countries, presumably a reference to South Africa and some Latin American nations.

He reported that an emissary has just been dispatched from Israel to the United States carrying a list of 500 jobs open for experts and technicians. “Until now we sought jobs for immigrants. Now we have begun to seek immigrants for jobs,” he said.

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