Leon Dulzin, chairman of the World Zionist Organization and Jewish Agency Executives, has appealed to the new Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, to “open the gates” to Jews who wish to leave the Soviet Union, “put an end to anti-Semitism, stop the harassments” and “free the Prisoners of Zion.”
In a letter to Gorbachev, in his capacity as chairman of the World Conference on Soviet Jewry, Dulzin wrote: “I appeal to you to grant the Jews of the Soviet Union their rights under the Soviet constitution to preserve their heritage, their language and their culture.”
He added: “I want to remind you that the Soviet Union recognized Israel as the historical homeland of the Jews and that the Soviet Union recognizes the principle of repatriation and family reunion.” Noting that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany, Dulzin assured the Soviet leader, “These demands are not intended in any way to harm the Soviet State. Do not pass up this historic chance to let our people go.”
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.
