Jews in Kharkov are experiencing increasing difficulties in obtaining exit visas. Only 18 families received visas during the month of April, Jewish sources in the Soviet Union reported today. According to the sources, the main obstacle now is getting the character reference which must accompany visa applications. The ovir, the local visa office is inordinately slow. It issues application forms only on Fridays and deals with applications three times a week only.
Many Jewish families are afraid to apply because it could mean immediate dismissal from their jobs while months can pass before they hear from the visa office, the sources said. The homes of a number of visa applicants have been searched by the KGB, the secret police.
Jews applying for visas are warned to wait quietly and some have been threatened with arrest for creating public disorder if they protest delays. Nevertheless, young people in particular are protesting vehemently against the administrative obstacles, the sources reported.
Some 8000 Gaza Strip residents poured into Israel today as regulations requiring special permits to enter Israel were lifted.
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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.
