Jewish sources in the Soviet Union reported today that 50 Moscow Jews went to the Central Committee of the Communist Party, crowded into the reception hall and handed in a letter of protest with all their signatures against harassment of applicants for exit visas to go to Israel. According to the sources, the letter said that freedom to go to Israel for those who want it would save both sides great unpleasantness. They were told that they would get a reply within a few days.
The sources reported that 24 Jews went home immediately but 26 others stayed until the evening to make their point and went home late. There were no incidents.
(The American Jewish Congress reported in New York today that it learned in a telephone conversation with Moscow Jewish sources that Nikolai Yavor, a prominent Jewish activist from Leningrad, was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment on charges of “hooliganism.” Yavor had been granted a visa to go to Israel and had paid the diploma tax at the time of his arrest.)
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