Javits, Case Accuse Soviet Union of Discrimination Against Its Jewish Citizens

Two Republican Senators accused the Soviet Union of following policies of calculated discrimination against its Jewish citizens. Sen. Jacob K. Javits, of New York said in a speech yesterday on the Senate floor that “the effects of prosecution and persecution are noticeable, especially in cases of applications by Jews seeking emigration to Israel.” He said that in the Soviet Union “Jewish spiritual and cultural life is cruelly repressed.” Sen. Clifford P. Case, of New Jersey, said in a statement issued later that he shared Mr. Javits’ “deep concern.” He said, “through public appearances and resolutions, my colleagues and I have tried to put some measure of pressure on the Soviets to change their policies. Unfortunately, little result has been evident.” However, the New Jersey Senator added. “We must continue our efforts for it seems that the Soviets will only alter their behavior when the onus of world-wide condemnation makes the political cost of not changing too great for the Soviets to bear.” Sen. Javits called on the Kremlin to answer specific charges of anti-Semitism. He mentioned the anti-Semitic incitement contained in the writings of Trofim Kitchko and others in violation of the Soviet Union’s own avowed prohibition of anti-Semitism; the imprisonment of Jews who have applied for emigration to Israel and the ban on schools in Hebrew and Yiddish where Russian Jews can teach their children the religion, culture and history of the Jewish people.