A young Jewish engineering student at the University of Moscow has written an unusual letter to the Supreme Soviet assailing anti-Semitic policies, renouncing his citizenship and proclaiming himself an Israeli.
The Washington Post reported here today that Yakov Y. Kazakov wrote to the highest Soviet Government organ, “I do not want to participate with you in an extermination of the Jewish nation in the USSR.” He also said, “I do not wish to be a citizen of a country that conducts a policy of genocide toward the Jewish people.” Stating that as a Jew he considers Israel his homeland, Mr. Kazakov declared, “I demand to be freed from the humiliation of being considered a citizen of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.”
The Post reporter, Robert H. Estabrook, who covers the United Nations, cited un-named Jewish sources as having provided his information. He said that an American tourist spoke with the student last month and that apparently to official action had been taken, against him, He has not however been allowed to emigrate to Israel. Mr. Estabrook wrote: “Jewish sources regard Kazakov’s letter as highly unusual because of its forthright espousal of a right of self-determination respecting citizenship. They can recall no previous case of the exact type.” The letter referred to an earlier one in which he had announced his renunciation of citizenship as dating from June 13, 1967.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
