Azf Blasts Rush over Warning on Anti-semitism in USSR

Deputy Secretary of State Kenneth Rush was accused by the American Zionist Federation today of encouraging “the oppressive policies of the Russian authorities” that hinder the emigration of Soviet Jews. In a telegram to Rush, Rabbi Israel Miller, president of the of the AZF, took strong exception to the State Department official’s remarks in Washington last Thursday in which he cautioned that Congressional refusal to grant the Soviet Union most favored nation trade status over the issue of Jewish emigration could set off a wave of anti-Semitism in Russia and reduce present emigration.

Rush spoke to 600 American media leaders at the State Department’s Foreign Policy Conference for Editors and Broadcasters. Rabbi Miller’s telegram said “The leaders and members of the 700,000-member Zionist Movement in the United States are shocked and dismayed by your reported statements on the effects of passage of the Jackson Amendment on the growth of anti-Semitism in the Soviet Union and the possible diminution of Jewish emigration from Russia.” Rabbi Miller noted that more than three quarters of the membership of the House of Representatives and a substantial majority in the Senate support the amendments by Son. Henry M. Jackson and Reps. Wilbur Mills and Charles Vanik that would deny Moscow favored treatment as long as Soviet authorities restricted emigration through exorbitant taxes and other means.

Rabbi Miller also challenged Rush’s “optimism” that the Soviets would soon waive their diploma tax. “Despite the progress of emigration there has been no official Soviet statement countermanding the stated, official policy of the unjust education tax which could be reimposed at any time,” Rabbi Miller said. “Your remarks can only serve to encourage the oppressive policies of the Russian authorities. We trust that you will reconsider your statements which we consider to be harmful to the interests of Soviet