Ten Kiev Jews have written to President Nixon congratulating him on his re-election but complained that they never received replies to their previous letters appealing for his help in their efforts to obtain exit visas. The text of the letter was made public by the 10 Jews who signed it.
The letter said, “During two years we have been trying to receive from the Soviet authorities permits to go to Israel which is our homeland. Apart from numerous appeals to Soviet and international organizations, we have twice appealed to you, Mr. President, with a request for help. Unfortunately, we do not receive any answers to our letters.”
The letter noted that some Jewish families in Kiev recently received visas. “Their hasty release coincided with the height of your election campaign. But we, unfortunately, remained among those who only saw others leave.”
Expressing understanding of Nixon’s “efforts directed toward the establishment of business contacts with the Soviet Union,” the writers observed that this “may become an objective factor influencing the fates of the Jews of Russia who are fighting for their right to repatriate.” The letter concluded that while their action was “perhaps contrary to the rules of diplomatic etiquette, we appeal again and again to you as the head of another State: Use your influence to help us become free, because power is in your hands and it is evident that in our world only power can enforce justice.”
The letter was signed by Yu. Soroko; Sofia Remennik; Zinovy Melamed; Alexander Feldman; Basya Soroko; Roman Leibengrub; Raisa Strupinskaya; Yan Monastirsky; Simkha Remennik; and Alexander Ger.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
