Moscow Charged with Maintaining Anti-jewish Emigration Policy

A report to the United Nations by three major Jewish organizations, charging the Soviet Union with anti-Semitism in emigration policies, was made public here today by Philip M. Klutznick, chairman of B’nai B’rith’s International Council.

Documented with statements by Premier Khrushchev and authenticated instances in which the reunion of families and ethnic groups have been authorized, the report stressed that the USSR displayed some sympathy at times “except in the case of Soviet Jews.”

The memorandum, prepared by B’nai B’rith. the Board of Jewish Deputies of Great Britain, and the South African Board of Jewish Deputies, also surveyed emigration policies affecting Jews in Communist satellite states and in North Africa.

The report found attitudes toward Jewish emigration “more liberal” in some satellite states than in the USSR, but “subject to the vagaries of administrative arbitrariness.” in the North African countries of Morocco, Tunisia. Libya and Egypt, varying forms of restriction against Jews hinder emigration and re-entry, the report noted.

The three Jewish groups jointly maintain consultative status with the UN, through the Coordinating Board of Jewish Organizations. The CBJO submitted the survey to the United Nations Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities.

Commenting on the report, Mr. Klutznick said: “There is further evidence of the Soviet Union’s pattern of anti-Jewish discrimination that openly violates the USSR’s own constitutional guarantees of equality among its multiple nationalities.”

The tragedy of the Soviet Jew, he said, was that “he is denied the right to live as a Jew, in his homeland, and denied the right to emigrate where he would be free to do so.” He pointed out how the Soviets denied Jews the same specific rights granted other Soviet citizens. The Soviets have denied such consideration to Jews.